What materials do I need to start drawing?

All you really need is a pencil and some paper! An eraser is also very helpful. If you want to make your drawing permanent, a black marker or pen is great for outlining, and crayons or colored pencils can bring it to life with color.

Is this tutorial suitable for young children?

Absolutely! This tutorial is designed with simple shapes and clear steps, making it perfect for young children, preschoolers, and early elementary students. Parents and teachers can guide them through the process.

How can I make my drawing look even cuter?

To make your whale extra cute, you can try adding rosy cheeks with circles, bigger eyes, or even a tiny heart shape somewhere on its body. Experiment with different expressions for its mouth too!

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

That's perfectly fine! Art is about expressing yourself. Your drawing is unique because you made it. The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the creative process.

Can I print this 'how to draw' sheet?

Yes, you can! Many of our 'how to draw' guides are designed to be printable. Look for a print button or option on the page to get a physical copy for easy reference while you draw.

What's the difference between tracing and freehand drawing?

Tracing involves drawing over an existing image, which is great for building muscle memory and understanding shapes. Freehand drawing means drawing without a guide, which helps develop your observation and creative skills. Both are valuable ways to practice!

How can I practice drawing in the cute (kawaii) style?

The kawaii style often uses simple, rounded shapes, large eyes, small mouths, and rosy cheeks. Practice drawing basic shapes like circles and ovals, and then try to incorporate these cute features into different animals and objects.

How to Draw

How to Draw a Whale

Cute animalsEasy · 9 steps

Nine-step drawing guide for a cute cartoon whale.

Hello, little artists and ocean explorers! Are you ready to dive into a fun drawing adventure? Today, we're going to learn how to draw one of the most magnificent creatures of the sea – a super cute kawaii whale! This friendly whale is perfect for beginners and kids of all ages. We'll break it down into simple shapes and easy steps, so you can create your own adorable marine friend in no time. Grab your drawing tools, and let's get started! By the end of this tutorial, you'll have a charming whale drawing that's ready to be colored or shared with your friends and family.

What you'll need

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

Pro tips

Don't press too hard with your pencil at first, so it's easy to erase any lines you want to change.
Take your time with each step; drawing should be relaxing and fun!
If your lines aren't perfect, that's okay! Every artist has their own unique style.
Once you've drawn your whale, try adding some ocean waves, fish, or even a little boat in the background!

Follow the steps

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

1
Draw the Body
Start by drawing a large, slightly flattened oval shape in the middle of your paper. This will be the main body of your whale.
2
Add Spout and Tail Base
On the top of the oval, draw a small, narrow oval for where the water spout will emerge. Then, on the right side, add a curved line extending downwards to begin the tail.
3
Outline Mouth and Flipper
Draw a gentle, upward-curving line on the bottom front of the whale for its happy mouth. On the bottom left, add a small curved line for the base of its flipper.
4
Draw Face and Flipper
Give your whale a friendly face by adding two small dots for eyes and two little 'U' shapes below them for rosy cheeks. Complete the flipper with a rounded shape, connecting it to the base line.
5
Complete the Tail
Finish the whale's tail by drawing a heart-like or butterfly-wing shape on top of the tail base you drew earlier, making it wide and graceful.
6
Add Belly Lines
Draw three soft, curved lines on the whale's belly, starting from below the mouth and extending towards the flipper. These add a nice texture to its underside.
7
Start the Water Spout
Now for the fun part! Above the small oval on top of the whale's head, draw a small, bubbly cloud-like shape to start its water spout.
8
Build the Spout Higher
Add a second, slightly larger bubbly cloud shape on top of the first one, making the water spout grow taller and more impressive.
9
Finish the Spout
Complete the water spout with a third, largest bubbly cloud shape on the very top. Now your cute whale is happily spouting water!