How to Draw a Dolphin

In this drawing lesson, we’ll “dive” into how to draw a dolphin.  This will be a relatively simple drawing to accomplish since a dolphin is made up of very simple shapes.  We’ll concentrate on the simple shapes that make up the dolphin and piece them together to make the form.  Then we’ll add the contour lines – or outlines – to finish the drawing.

Step 1 – Draw a Shape for the Head, Body, and Tail

We’ll start off with three simple shapes that overlap each other slightly.  A circle is drawn for the bulk of the head.  A longer oval is drawn for the main portion of the dolphin’s body, while a shorter and skinnier oval is drawn for the tail.

Step 2 – Draw the Nose and the Tail of the Dolphin

Next, we’ll draw an oval for the nose of the dolphin.  This shape will overlap the majority of the circle that was drawn in the first step for the head.  We’ll also draw a shape at the end of the smaller oval that was drawn for the tail to define the tail fin.

Step 3 – Define the Body Shape and Draw a Fin

Next, we’ll use the three main shapes that we drew in the first step as a guide to define the form of the dolphin a bit further.  The longer oval that was drawn for the main portion of the body is connected with the smaller oval with two arching lines.  The main portion of the body is also connected to the nose of the dolphin with a line that extends upward and then outward to the bottom of the smallest oval.  

The left fin of the dolphin is also drawn in this step.  This fin is added close to the head, instead of further down the body.  From this vantage point, the fin will need to be placed a bit higher than you may think.

 

Step 4 – Add the Second Fin, the Dorsal Fin, and a Couple of Details

In this step, our drawing will begin to look more like a dolphin.  We’ll begin by drawing the second fin.  Here again, because of the viewing angle, the fin will be slightly distorted.  The shape that is drawn for the fin is drawn “just a touch” higher than the left fin.  A dorsal fin is drawn closer to the middle of the dolphin’s back, and a couple of lines are drawn to connect the main portion of the body with tail fin.  A circle is drawn for the visible eye and a curved line is drawn to establish the location  of the mouth that wraps around the face of the dolphin.

Step 5 – Finish the Drawing

Now, using the structure that has been created in the previous steps, the drawing can be completed with details.  The eye is colored black with the exception of a white highlight.  The lines are drawn over again with a darker medium.

A few lines are added in areas to create a bit more interest and to create a bit of shadow. The lines should become thicker in areas in order to enhance the line quality and variety in the drawing.  Any stray lines are erased.