Draw a fish
Draw a fish using simple shapes, add fins, scales, and colors, then label parts and try different patterns to practice observation and creativity.
Step-by-step guide to draw a fish
Step 1
Place your paper on a flat surface and put your pencil and eraser next to it.
Step 2
Draw a large oval or circle in the middle of the paper for the fish body.
Step 3
Add a tail by drawing a triangle or fan shape attached to one end of the oval.
Step 4
Draw a curved triangular fin on the top of the fish body.
Step 5
Draw a matching curved triangular fin on the bottom of the fish body.
Step 6
Draw a circle near the front of the body for the fish eye.
Step 7
Draw a small curved line for the fish mouth near the eye.
Step 8
Draw rows of small curved shapes or semicircles across the body to make scales.
Step 9
Trace over your pencil lines with a black marker to make the drawing bold if you want.
Step 10
Pick two or three colours and colour the body of your fish.
Step 11
Colour the fins and tail with different colours or patterns of your choice.
Step 12
Write labels and draw short arrows to name the parts like eye tail fin and scales.
Step 13
Share your finished creation on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can I use if I don't have the black marker, coloured pencils, or eraser from the instructions?
Use a dark pen or crayon to trace over your pencil lines instead of the black marker, crayons or washable felt-tip pens to colour the body and fins instead of coloured pencils, and a folded piece of scrap paper to gently rub out light pencil marks if you don't have an eraser.
My top and bottom fins look uneven or my rows of scales are messy—how can I fix that?
Lightly draw a centerline through the oval before adding the top and bottom curved triangular fins so they match, and pencil in faint horizontal guide rows across the body before drawing the small curved scales, then erase guides and trace with marker.
How can I adapt this fish-drawing activity for different ages?
For toddlers, trace a cup or plate for the fish body and use finger paints to fill simple shapes; for preschoolers, let them draw basic fins and colour with two colours; and for older kids, add detailed scale patterns, shading, and write labels with arrows as the instructions suggest.
How can we extend or personalize the finished fish beyond colouring?
Add patterned fins and tail with stickers or collage pieces, glue on a googly eye over the drawn circle for the eye, write a species name and short facts next to your labels, and then share the finished creation on DIY.org as the instructions say.
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Facts about drawing and marine life
🎨 Colors and patterns help fish hide, attract mates, or warn predators; some animals can change color quickly.
🏁 Different fins do different jobs: pectoral and dorsal fins steer and balance, while the tail fin provides most of the thrust.
🫧 Gills let fish extract oxygen from water; a few special fish (like lungfish) can also breathe air.
🐚 Many fish scales grow rings called circuli, and scientists can count them to estimate a fish's age.
🐟 Over 34,000 species of fish have been described — more kinds of fish than any other group of vertebrates.
How do I draw a fish with my child step by step?
What materials do I need to draw a fish with kids?
What ages is this fish drawing activity suitable for?
What are the benefits of drawing, labeling, and patterning a fish?
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