How to Draw a Narwhal
Draw a cute narwhal step-by-step using simple shapes, add its spiral tusk, fins, textures, and color to learn proportions and shading.
About this tutorial
Draw a cute narwhal step-by-step using simple shapes, add its spiral tusk, fins, textures, and color to learn proportions and shading.
What you need
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Lightly draw a large horizontal oval for the narwhalâs body to set its main shape.
- 2
Step 2
Add a small rounded head attached to the front of the oval so the body and head connect smoothly.
- 3
Step 3
Draw two curved flukes at the back to make the narwhalâs tail.
- 4
Step 4
Sketch a small rounded dorsal fin on the top of the body.
- 5
Step 5
Draw one rounded side flipper near the front lower part of the body.
- 6
Step 6
Draw a long slightly curved cone sticking out from the forehead to make the tusk.
- 7
Step 7
Add several evenly spaced spiral lines around the tusk to make its twisted pattern.
- 8
Step 8
Draw a simple face with one round eye and a small smiling mouth on the head.
- 9
Step 9
Draw a curved line along the underside to show the narwhalâs belly.
- 10
Step 10
Add small spots and a few short curved lines on the body for texture and charm.
- 11
Step 11
Trace your final lines with a black marker to make the narwhal bold and clear.
- 12
Step 12
After the marker is dry gently erase the pencil lines so only the clean outlines remain.
- 13
Step 13
Color the narwhalâs body with a light blue-gray or your favorite color and leave the tusk a paler shade.
- 14
Step 14
Add shading under the belly and along the lower edges with a darker color and gently blend to show roundness.
- 15
Step 15
Share your finished narwhal drawing on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do you draw a cute narwhal step-by-step?
Start with a soft oval for the body and a smaller circle for the head, then connect them smoothly. Add a rounded triangle tail and two flipper shapes on the sides. Draw a long spiral tusk from the forehead (a slightly curved line with diagonal wraps). Sketch a round eye and a small smile. Add texture with light spots and short lines. Erase extra guidelines, then shade along the belly and under fins for volume before coloring.
What materials do I need to draw a narwhal with my child?
Gather plain drawing paper, a pencil (HB), eraser, and pencil sharpener. For outlines use a fine-tip black pen or marker. Bring colored pencils, crayons, or washable markers for coloringâwatercolors work too if supervised. Optional: blending stump or tissue for shading, a ruler or circle template for perfect shapes, and scrap paper for practice. Keep a damp cloth handy to clean hands and markers.
What ages is this narwhal drawing activity suitable for?
This step-by-step narwhal is great for ages 4â12 with adjustments: preschoolers (3â5) can trace or color large simple shapes; early elementary (6â8) follow basic steps to draw and color; older kids (9â12) practice proportions, spiral tusk detail, and shading. Provide close supervision and help with cutting or tiny details for younger children, and encourage independence for older kids to refine techniques.
What are the benefits of drawing a narwhal, and how can you vary the activity?
Drawing a narwhal builds fine motor skills, observation, spatial awareness, and confidence with step-by-step instructions. It also teaches proportions and basic shading. Variations: turn it into a scene (iceberg, stars), try different art media (watercolor wash, pastels), make a cartoon or realistic version, or create a narwhal collage using colored paper. For group fun, have kids design family of narwhals with different tusk patterns.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have a black marker or an eraser for tracing and cleaning up the drawing?
If you donât have a black marker for the 'Trace your final lines with a black marker' step, substitute a dark ballpoint pen or fine-tip felt pen, and if you lack a soft eraser use a kneaded eraser or draw more lightly in pencil so remaining lines are less visible after coloring.
My tusk spirals look unevenâhow can we fix that while following the tusk steps?
To make the 'several evenly spaced spiral lines around the tusk' neater, first draw the 'long slightly curved cone' in pencil, add faint diagonal guide lines or evenly spaced dots along it, then connect those guides with your spiral lines.
How can I change the activity for different ages while still following the main steps like the oval body and flipper?
For younger kids simplify by having them trace a pre-drawn large horizontal oval, rounded head, tail flukes and a sticker tusk to color, while older kids can refine the 'small spots and short curved lines', add the 'shading under the belly', and practice blending colors for roundness.
What are some ways to extend or personalize the narwhal drawing after finishing the basic steps and coloring?
After you 'color the narwhalâs body' and add 'shading under the belly', personalize it by painting an ocean background, giving the tusk a metallic or glitter finish, creating patterned spots, or drawing a whole narwhal family to photograph and share on DIY.org.