How to Draw a Dolphin
Kids know dolphins! They see them in ocean books, at the aquarium, and even in videos where dolphins jump out of the water. They are interesting sea animals, but more than that, this cute animal with its flowing curves makes a great easy drawing activity. In this step by step tutorial, you will learn how to draw a dolphin in 9 easy steps.
This dolphin art activity is perfect for kids and beginners. We start with the simple body shape and then add the mouth, fins, tail, belly line, eye, eye detail, and a few simple marks before adding color.
All of these easy to follow steps come together to create a nice, neat, kid friendly dolphin drawing. Just look at how nicely this dolphin turns out with all that blue color, the light belly, the pretty marks, and the cute little eye!
Want it on paper?
Every step on one sheet, sized for US Letter and A4.
1
Draw the Dolphin Body Shape
We are going to start out with the simple body shape of our dolphin. Draw a long flowing curve that is rounded on the top and flares out as it goes down.
This simple curve will make up most of the body of our leaping dolphin.
2
Add the Mouth
In this second step, we are going to add the dolphin’s mouth. We will start by adding a rounded snout and then adding a curve at the bottom of it to make the mouth.
Be sure to keep this part pretty rounded and flowing.
3
Draw the Fins
Next, add a dorsal fin and then a couple of flippers to the sides of the dolphin’s body.
These will help give our dolphin some definition.
4
Add the Tail
At the end of the dolphin’s body, add a curved tail just like in the picture below. Make sure to round out both ends just a bit.
This will give our dolphin character and finish off the body shape.
5
Add the Belly Line
Draw a long flowing line that goes from the dolphin’s mouth down toward the tail. This will form the light colored belly of the dolphin.
This line helps define the belly area and gives the dolphin’s body some nice detail.
6
Draw the Eye
Add an eye at the front top area of the dolphin’s head.
This is such a small step, but it already helps give our dolphin a friendly face.
7
Add the Eye Detail
Now add the inner eye detail to make the eye look more complete.
This little detail gives the dolphin more character and makes the face look much cuter.
8
Add the Body Markings
In this fun step, you are going to add a few oval shaped marks to the dolphin’s upper back, along the side, and onto the tail.
This is a nice touch that adds a little something extra to the drawing without making it too hard.
9
Color the Dolphin
Using the drawing below as a guide, color your dolphin. You can use blue for the body and a lighter shade for the belly. The eye can be colored black with a little white on it, and the few marks can also be colored light to stand out.
Your easy dolphin drawing is now complete!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this dolphin drawing guide suitable for beginners?
Yes, this guide breaks the dolphin down into nine simple steps using basic shapes and lines, so it works well for kids and adults who have never drawn a dolphin before. Each step only adds a small amount of new detail, so it is easy to follow along without feeling overwhelmed.
Do I need any special drawing supplies?
No special supplies are needed, just a pencil, paper, and an eraser to start, with crayons, markers, or colored pencils if you want to color the finished dolphin. Having your supplies laid out before you begin makes it easier to move smoothly from one step to the next.
Is there a printable version of this dolphin drawing activity?
Yes, a printable PDF of the dolphin drawing is available further down this page so you can print it out and color it in directly rather than drawing freehand. This is a nice option for younger kids who enjoy coloring but are not quite ready to draw every shape themselves.
How long does it usually take to complete this drawing?
Most kids can work through all nine steps in about ten to fifteen minutes, though there is no rush since each step is meant to be done at a comfortable pace. Taking your time on the earlier body shapes makes the later detail steps, like the fins and markings, much easier to add.
Easy Dolphin Drawing Step by Step
Make sure to have your drawing supplies out and ready to go before starting this fun activity.
The blue lines show you what to draw in each step. So let’s get started!
Printable Dolphin Drawing PDF
If you want to print this fun drawing activity as a PDF and color it in, you can use the image below. This printable is a kid friendly dolphin drawing activity that kids can do over and over again.
For more dolphin themed pictures to color, you can also visit our Dolphin Coloring Pagescollection.
If you liked this easy dolphin drawing activity, be sure to let us know down below in the comments section. You can also share this page with another parent, teacher, or friend!
Printing tips
Choose Fit to page and plain white paper. Every sheet is US Letter and prints correctly on A4 with default settings.
How to print our printables ›