This comprehensive tutorial will guide you through the process of drawing a dolphin in nine simple steps. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience with drawing, this tutorial is designed to be accessible and teach you a solid approach to creating art. So grab a pencil and let’s get started!
Step 1 – Sketch the Outline of the Dolphin’s Body
Begin by sketching a simplified outline of the dolphin’s body, following a gentle curve. Start with a thicker line towards the head and gradually taper it towards the tail. This initial step sets the foundation for the rest of the drawing.
Step 2 – Add the Stomach
Continuing from the bottom part of the body, slightly towards the head, draw the stomach area with a simple curved line. Erase the body outline above it to refine the shape.
Step 3 – Outline the Nose
Now, sketch the dolphin’s snout (nose) and a small bump just above it to represent the forehead. Use a single curved line for each of these features. Erase the body outline behind the nose to clean up the drawing.
Step 4 – Depict the Tail
Draw the tail, making the front half (closer to the viewer) slightly larger than the back half. This creates a sense of perspective in the drawing. For those unfamiliar with perspective drawing, you may refer to a separate tutorial for beginners.
Step 5 – Form the Flippers
Position the flippers towards the upper part of the body. Give them a wavy shape, with the front one slightly larger than the back one. Keep in mind that a portion of the background flipper will be hidden behind the body, making it appear shorter.
Step 6 – Include the Fin
To complete the outline of the dolphin’s major body parts, draw the fin on its back. Make it wider towards the body and gradually narrower towards the tip.
Step 7 – Sketch the Facial Features
Add the dolphin’s facial features, starting with the mouth, area around the eye, and forehead. Begin by drawing the eye area, positioning it midway between the top and bottom of the head. Then, sketch the mouth with a wavy shape that extends from the nose tip, almost reaching the eye. Lastly, add a subtle curve above the nose to accentuate the forehead.
Step 8 – Detail the Eye
As the eye in the main drawing appears small, refer to the close-up example below to guide you in refining its details. Outline the eye, then add the iris. Suggest the presence of eyelids, and finally, incorporate a small highlight to make the eye look glossy and wet.
Step 9 – Complete the Dolphin Drawing
In this final step, focus on the stomach area. Incorporate a few additional curves to accentuate the shape, as shown in the example above. Additionally, include a subtle curve along the tail to represent the split commonly found in dolphins. Once you’re satisfied with the drawing, trace over the lines to make them more pronounced. Consider shading the eye with black or pencil for added depth, leaving the highlight white.
Conclusion
Drawing a dolphin doesn’t have to be complicated. This step-by-step guide provides a solid approach to creating a dolphin drawing, suitable for beginners and beyond. Remember, starting with the larger shapes and gradually working towards smaller details can save you time and help you avoid mistakes. For more tips and techniques, refer to our beginner’s guide to learning to draw and absolute beginner drawing exercises tutorial.
If you enjoyed this tutorial, you may also be interested in similar tutorials on drawing other animals and plants. Check out our step-by-step guides on drawing a frog, a rabbit, a squirrel from the side view, a sunflower, and grapes.
Happy drawing!
