How to Draw a Fish
In this really simple instruction for kids and their parents, I will show you how to draw a fish.
Drawing can be as calming as watching fish swim in a tranquil pond, and with our simple instructions, you’ll create a friendly fish that seems to glide right off your page. We’ll begin with basic shapes to capture the essence of our fish’s form and gradually add details that bring personality and texture to life. So grab your pencils, let your creativity swim free, and let’s dive into the world of drawing with our fishy tutorial!
Time needed: 30 minutes
How to draw a fish
- Establishing the foundation
Step 1 starts with drawing a simple, slightly oblong shape. Important tip: Always look at the drawing or object as a whole before you start drawing. For example, it is clearly visible here that the basic body figure should be located slightly to the right – because there will be a large tail on the left.
- Draw the eye of the fish.
So, let’s focus on the fish’s eye and its positioning. Place a small oval towards the front of the body shape you’ve drawn. The placement of the eye is crucial as it can affect the fish’s expression and the direction it appears to be looking. Keep the eye relatively simple; this isn’t the stage for intricate detail.
- Sketch the fish’s mouth
Step 3 involves adding the mouth, which includes a small curved line for the smile and a triangle for the open part of the mouth. The smile line should curve upwards to give the fish a friendly appearance, while the triangle should be proportionate to the size of the head.
- Draw a fin on the back of the fish
Despite the very simplified drawing style, we will draw all the basic parts of the fish’s body. Fins are one of the most necessary things, so draw a fin on the back that looks like a sail. By the way, the fin on the back performs the same functions as the sail of a yacht – it determines the direction of movement.
- Add the outline of the lower fin
Use sweeping, graceful strokes to suggest the fins’ flexibility and mobility. At the same time, the lower fin looks narrower and smaller compared to the fin on the back. In fact, it is a paired fin, but we cannot see the second fin due to the side view.
- Draw the tail fins
So now we can start drawing the fish’s tail, which is actually also formed by the fins. This step requires careful symmetry to ensure that the fin looks balanced. Use smooth, connected strokes to create a seamless outline that captures the graceful movement of a fish’s tail.
- Sketch the basic outlines of the fish’s scales.
Draw lightly curved lines to represent the scales, giving the fish texture. These lines should be evenly spaced and follow the contour of the fish’s body, creating a pattern that suggests a natural, overlapping scale structure.
- Scale pattern completion
So in this final step before coloring we draw the scales of the fish. This is not drawing every single scale like in a realistic style. However, several rows of scales in the form of large semicircles will look great.
- Coloring fish
The choice of color should be bright and engaging, reflecting the cheerful nature of the drawing. Once the base color is down, add a darker shade for the gills and the inside of the mouth, and use a lighter shade for highlights along the top of the fish and on the tips of the fins to create dimension and interest.
It was really easy, wasn’t it? If the instruction on how to draw a fish is easy for you, then I’m sure you will like other instructions from the Animals category. So go to this section to learn how to draw some new animals.
How to Draw a Fish for Kids
This drawing lesson was created specifically for beginner artists and children, so you will not encounter difficulties in completing it.
How to Draw a Realistic Fish
I hope that this lesson will be interesting for you. You will easily follow all the drawing steps and enjoy the creative process. At each step, there will be a little hint that you can use to get a great result.
How to Draw an Easy Fish
Now you will learn how to draw a fish in the easiest way, and over time you will master more complex drawing techniques. This tutorial uses simple lines and a minimum of elements.
How to Draw a Simple Fish
This instruction uses simple lines and a minimum of elements. But if you want, you can improve your drawing. For example, you can add scales on the body of the fish, or stripes on the tail and fins. As a result, you will get a great drawing.
How to Draw a Fish Step by Step
In the picture, you see a fish that has a rounded body shape and pointed fins. Here simple elements and a minimum of details are used. In this lesson, you will need your ability to draw smooth rounded lines. Try to make all the lines carefully, take your time during this task. So, prepare all the tools you will need to complete this tutorial and get started.
