Let's be honest - most tutorials claiming to teach an easy drawing of a fish aren't actually that simple. Remember my first attempt? I ended up with something resembling a squashed banana with fins. But after teaching art classes for years, I've cracked the code to truly simple fish drawings that anyone can master.
Why start with fish? They're forgiving shapes. Unlike human faces where proportions make or break your drawing, fish come in endless varieties. Mess up a line? Call it artistic interpretation. That's why I always begin with aquatic creatures when teaching absolute beginners.
What You Really Need for Simple Fish Sketches
Don't get sucked into buying expensive supplies. For your first easy drawing of a fish, grab whatever's handy:
- Pencils: A standard #2 pencil works fine. I prefer mechanical pencils (Pentel Twist-Erase is my $5 workhorse) because they don't need sharpening
- Paper: Printer paper is perfectly acceptable. If you want to upgrade, Strathmore Sketch pads ($8-12) have nicer texture
- Eraser: White vinyl erasers (Staedtler Mars Plastic) erase cleaner than pink ones
- Optional extras: Colored pencils (Crayola Twistables are surprisingly good), fineliner pens (Sakura Pigma Micron), blending stump
Budget-Friendly Starter Kits
If you do want to invest:
| Kit Name | Price Range | Best For | My Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artist's Loft Fundamentals | $12-15 | Total beginners testing waters | Decent quality but paper warps with watercolors |
| Canson XL Mixed Media | $18-22 | Those wanting to experiment | Paper handles ink and light washes beautifully |
| Strathmore 300 Series | $25-30 | Serious starters | Professional quality at student prices |
Honestly though? I started drawing on napkins. The tools matter less than just starting.
Foolproof Fish Drawing in Five Minutes
Here's the simplest method I've developed after watching hundreds of students succeed:
Step 1: The Magic Teardrop
Draw a horizontal teardrop shape. Wider end on the left for the head, pointy end right for the tail. Don't stress about symmetry - real fish aren't perfectly even.
Step 2: Triangle Time
Add three triangles: Top dorsal fin, bottom pelvic fin, and tail fin. Make the tail triangle about half the body length.
Step 3: Face Features
Near the wide end, draw a circle for the eye (leave a white dot for shine!) and a curved line for the smile. Fish look friendlier with upward-curving mouths.
Step 4: Gills and Details
Behind the eye, add two curved lines like backward "C"s for gills. Optional: Add scales using overlapping "U" shapes along the body.
That's it - you've got an easy drawing of a fish! Students can usually nail this in under three tries. The trick is keeping shapes basic.
Struggling? Try tracing a goldfish cracker first. Seriously - it builds muscle memory for the curves. I keep a box in my studio just for this.
Making Your Fish Come Alive
Once you've got the basic easy drawing of a fish down, these tricks add personality:
- Tail shape changes everything: A wide fan tail says "goldfish", a forked tail says "tuna", a crescent moon tail says "shark"
- Eye position: Eyes on the sides = prey fish. Eyes closer together = predator fish
- Fin combos: Long flowing dorsal fins scream betta fish, while stubby fins feel more cartoonish
My favorite hack: Add bubbles! Simple circles rising from the mouth instantly create underwater context. Kids love this touch.
Common Mistakes That Make Fish Look Weird
I've seen these repeatedly in classes:
| Mistake | Why It Looks Wrong | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Centered eyes | Makes fish appear cross-eyed | Place eye in front half of head |
| Straight horizontal fins | Looks stiff and unnatural | Angle fins slightly backward |
| Perfectly round bodies | Resembles a balloon animal | Make body slightly flattened |
| Scales covering entire body | Overwhelms the drawing | Add scales only along sides |
Just yesterday, a student insisted her fish looked "off" until we moved the eye forward half an inch. Tiny adjustments make huge differences.
Leveling Up Your Simple Fish Drawings
Once comfortable with the basic easy drawing of a fish, try these challenges:
- Side view → 3/4 view: Rotate the body slightly to show both eyes
- Add texture: Use short strokes for rough skin (like catfish), smooth shading for sleek fish (like tuna)
- Play with patterns: Stripes (clownfish), spots (trout), or iridescent effects (betta fish)
My biggest artistic leap came from drawing live fish at aquariums. Observing how real fish move reveals details photos miss:
*How their pectoral fins constantly flutter
*The way light ripples across scales
*How bodies taper toward the tail
Can't visit an aquarium? YouTube aquarium livestreams are fantastic free references. My favorite is Monterey Bay Aquarium's sea otter cam (though I sometimes get distracted by otters!).
Digital Options for Easy Fish Drawing
Traditionalists may scoff, but apps lower the barrier:
| App | Price | Best Feature | Downside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Procreate ($9.99) | One-time fee | Undo mistakes instantly | iPad only |
| Autodesk Sketchbook (Free) | $0 | Excellent brush variety | Limited layer functionality |
| Adobe Fresco (Freemium) | Free/$9.99 monthly | Real watercolor simulation | Subscription model |
Personally, I prefer pencil on paper. There's tactile satisfaction digital can't replicate. But I won't deny the "undo" button saves paper.
Fish Drawing Troubleshooting
Everyone gets stuck. Here's how to push through:
Problem: Your fish looks flat
Solution: Add subtle shading along one side (imagine light coming from above)
Problem: Proportions feel wrong
Solution: Sketch light "construction lines" first - horizontal midline helps place fins symmetrically
Problem: Scales look messy
Solution: Draw scale rows instead of individual scales. Start near the head and work backward.
Remember my disastrous first koi fish? Looked like a spotted sausage. Turned out I was drawing scales randomly rather than in staggered rows. Simple fix, huge difference.
Frequently Asked Questions About Easy Fish Drawings
What's the absolute fastest way to draw a fish?
Draw a sideways oval. Add a triangle tail at one end and a dot for an eye at the other. Seriously - 10-second fish! Works great when sketching with young children.
How do I make my fish drawing look more realistic?
Focus on three things: 1) Asymmetry (real fish aren't perfect), 2) Fin transparency (use lighter pressure on fin tips), 3) Reflectance (leave white spots where light hits).
Which fish is easiest for absolute beginners?
Goldfish or cartoon-style bettas. Both have simple shapes plus dramatic fins that hide imperfections. Avoid complex fish like anglerfish or lionfish initially.
How can I teach a child an easy drawing of a fish?
Break it into "shape words": "Draw a potato with a pizza slice tail!" Add triangles for fins. Make the eye huge - kids love expressive eyes. Skip scales initially.
Should I learn fish anatomy to draw better?
Not at first. Basic shape mastery comes first. Once comfortable, studying skeleton diagrams helps understand movement. But for simple drawings? Overkill.
Why does my fish look stiff?
Likely culprit: Perfectly straight body lines. Add subtle curves to the back and belly. Tip: Draw an "S" curve first, then build your fish around it.
The real secret? Embrace "bad" drawings. My sketchbooks are full of lopsided fish with crooked fins. Each one taught me something. Every easy drawing of a fish you attempt builds spatial awareness. Start simple, be patient, and remember - even Picasso started somewhere.
Leave a Comments