GRID STEP. You can print out the base construction lines and start drawing on tracing paper, or you can draw the grid layout yourself using the following steps.1) Draw a rectangle that will define the conditional proportions and boundaries of the chosen drawing. 2) From the middle of the rectangle, draw one vertical and one horizontal line equally dividing the shape. 3) Draw another horizontal line equally dividing the upper half of the rectangle. Similarly, draw a horizontal line equally dividing the bottom half of the rectangle. 4) Draw a vertical line equally dividing the left half of the rectangle. Similarly, draw a vertical line equally dividing the right half of the rectangle.

STEP 1. Mark off the width and height of the California quail. Draw two ovals that will help to define the places for its head and body. Draw a line, which will act as its beak.

STEP 2. Draw the shapes of the body and neck. Add a guideline the bird’s tail.

STEP 3. Add guidelines for the legs, wing and mouth of the California quail.

STEP 4. Draw shapes for the legs, wing and beak. Draw the end of the tail and crest.

STEP 5. Draw the toes, tail, crest and eye of the bird. Add more lines to its wing.

STEP 6. Add claws and feathers. Work on the figure, paying special attention to detail.

STEP 7. Contour the California quail, trying to vary the thickness and darkness of the line. Add more detail. Erase all guidelines.