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how to draw a jellyfish

How to draw a jellyfish - a free jellyfish drawing guide
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Draw a jellyfish step by step using simple shapes, add flowing tentacles, texture, and colors to create a cheerful underwater creature.

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Photos of jellyfish drawing examples

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Step-by-step guide to draw a jellyfish

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How to Draw Jellyfish Easy Step-by-step | Kawaii

What you need
Black marker or pen, coloring materials (crayons markers colored pencils), eraser, paper, pencil

Step 1

Place your paper flat and get your pencil and eraser ready.

Step 2

Draw a large rounded dome or semi-circle near the top of the paper for the jellyfish’s bell.

Step 3

Draw two round eyes and a small curved smile inside the lower front of the bell.

Step 4

Draw one or two gentle curved lines under the bell to show the jellyfish’s inner folds.

Step 5

Draw three long wavy lines from the bottom of the bell for flowing tentacles.

Step 6

Draw three shorter wavy or ribbon-like lines between the long tentacles for frilly tentacles.

Step 7

Add tiny dots or short curved marks on the bell to make fun texture.

Step 8

Trace the bell eyes mouth tentacles and texture marks with your black marker or pen.

Step 9

Erase the pencil lines that you no longer need so only the marker drawing shows.

Step 10

Color the bell tentacles and background with bright cheerful colors.

Step 11

Share a photo of your finished cheerful jellyfish on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

If I don't have a black marker or pen to trace the jellyfish, what can I use instead?

Use a dark colored pencil, ballpoint pen, or fine-tip crayon to trace the bell, eyes, mouth, tentacles, and texture marks and then erase the pencil lines as instructed in the 'Erase the pencil lines...' step.

My sketch smudges or the marker keeps smearing—how can I prevent or fix that when drawing the jellyfish?

Draw gently with your pencil as step one says, let the black marker or pen fully dry before erasing, and if smears occur gently lift excess with a clean eraser or carefully retrace the smudged lines once dry.

How can I adapt this jellyfish drawing activity for younger or older children?

For younger kids pre-draw the large rounded dome, eyes, and simple tentacles for them to trace and color with crayons, while older kids can add extra wavy and frilly tentacles, detailed texture marks on the bell, shading, or patterns before coloring and sharing on DIY.org.

What are some ways to personalize or extend the jellyfish drawing after coloring?

After you 'Color the bell tentacles and background with bright cheerful colors,' add tissue-paper frills or glitter to the tentacles and bell texture marks, draw a surrounding seascape with fish and seaweed, or create a stop-motion video of the jellyfish and then share a photo or clip on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to draw a jellyfish

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how to draw a Jellyfish in Minutes| step by step tutorial for beginners.!

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Facts about drawing sea creatures

🪼 Jellyfish are about 95% water, which is why they feel so squishy and floaty.

🧠 Jellyfish don't have a brain; they use a simple nerve net to sense light, food, and touch.

🔆 Many jellyfish glow with bioluminescence — nature's underwater night-lights.

🌊 The lion's mane jellyfish can have tentacles over 100 feet long — longer than some whales!

🧬 Turritopsis dohrnii can revert to an earlier life stage and is nicknamed the "immortal" jellyfish.

How do I draw a jellyfish step by step?

Start with a light pencil to sketch a rounded dome or half-oval for the bell. Add a smaller inner arc to show depth. Draw several long, flowing tentacles using wavy or ribbon-like lines from the bell’s underside. Add texture with short curved lines or dots on the bell and slight shading below the dome. Trace with a marker if you like, erase pencil lines, then color with bright, cheerful hues and blend for a watery look.

What materials do I need to draw a jellyfish?

Gather plain or watercolor paper, a pencil for sketching, a soft eraser, and a fine black pen or marker for outlining. Use colored pencils, markers, watercolor paints, or crayons for filling color. Optional extras: white gel pen for highlights, glitter or metallic pens for sparkle, a smock to protect clothes, and masking tape to hold the paper. For younger kids, washable markers and big crayons work best.

What ages is drawing a jellyfish suitable for?

This activity suits preschoolers through preteens with adaptations. Ages 3–5 can draw simple domes and one or two wavy tentacles with adult help. Ages 6–8 can add texture, more tentacles, and basic shading. Ages 9–12 can refine shapes, practice blending colors, and experiment with watercolor effects. Supervise very young children with scissors or wet paints and offer thicker tools for easier grasping.

What are the benefits of drawing jellyfish with kids?

Drawing jellyfish builds fine motor skills, hand–eye coordination, and observation of organic shapes. It encourages creativity, color mixing, and storytelling about ocean life, and can calm and focus children. The project can introduce basic science (marine habitats) and art techniques like line weight and texture. Variations such as making a jellyfish mobile or using translucent materials add sensory and STEAM learning opportunities.
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