What materials do I need to start drawing this fish?

All you really need is a pencil and some paper! If you want to make your drawing stand out, you can use a black marker to outline and crayons or colored pencils to add vibrant colors.

Is this drawing tutorial suitable for young children?

Absolutely! This tutorial is designed with simple shapes and clear steps, making it perfect for kids and beginners of all ages. Parents and teachers can easily guide younger children through the process.

How can I make my fish drawing unique?

Once you've mastered the basic steps, you can get creative! Try different patterns for scales, add stripes or spots, give your fish different expressions, or even draw a whole school of fish!

What if my drawing doesn't look exactly like the example?

That's perfectly fine! Every artist has their own unique style. The goal is to have fun and learn the process. Keep practicing, and your drawings will get better with every attempt.

Should I trace or draw freehand?

For beginners, tracing can be a great way to get comfortable with shapes and lines. However, try drawing freehand as much as possible to develop your own drawing skills and confidence!

How can I practice drawing cute animals?

Practice makes perfect! Try drawing this fish a few times, then explore other simple animal tutorials. Focus on rounded shapes, big eyes, and friendly expressions to capture that cute 'kawaii' style.

How to Draw

How to Draw a Fish

Cute AnimalsEasy · 9 steps

Step-by-step guide showing how to draw a simple cartoon fish in 9 steps.

Hello, budding artists! Are you ready to dive into a fun drawing adventure? Today, we're going to learn how to draw a super cute fish, perfect for adding to your underwater scenes or just for fun! This easy-to-follow guide breaks down drawing a charming fish into simple steps. Grab your pencil and paper, and let's get started on creating your very own finned friend! You'll be amazed at how quickly you can draw an adorable fish with just a few basic shapes and lines. Let's make some art!

What you'll need

Pencil
Paper
Black marker (optional, for outlining)
Crayons or colored pencils (optional, for coloring)

Pro tips

Don't worry if your first lines aren't perfect; drawing is all about practice and having fun!
Use a light touch with your pencil at first, so it's easy to erase if you want to make changes.
Feel free to customize your fish! What color will it be? Will it have stripes or spots?
Try drawing different kinds of tails or fins once you're comfortable with the basic shape.

Follow the steps

Each step matches one panel in the sheet above — draw along at your own pace.

1
Start with an Oval
Begin by drawing a simple oval shape. This will be the main body of your fish.
2
Add Head, Eye, and Tail
Draw a curved line inside the oval for the head, a small circle for the eye, and a simple V-shaped tail fin at the back.
3
Draw the Top Fin
On top of the fish's body, add a curved fin. It looks a bit like a small, rounded triangle.
4
Add the Bottom Fin
Now, draw a similar curved fin on the bottom of the fish, mirroring the top one.
5
Sketch the Scales
Inside the main body, draw several overlapping 'U' shapes to create the fish's scales. Make them look wavy and natural.
6
Detail the Top Fin
Add a few curved lines inside the top fin to give it some texture and detail.
7
Detail the Bottom Fin
Just like the top fin, add a few curved lines inside the bottom fin for more detail.
8
Give a Happy Smile
Draw a small, curved line near the eye to give your fish a friendly, happy smile.
9
Add Water Bubbles
To show your fish is swimming, draw a few small circles above its head for water bubbles.