How To Draw A Jellyfish How To Draw A Realistic Fish

In this tutorial, we'll depict an angelfish—a pocket-size freshwater fish with a round trunk and elongated fins of a circuitous angular shape. This dissimilarity makes an angelfish a true creative discovery for an creative person!

Angelfish are ane of the most commonly kept aquarium fish; they are noteworthy for their cute stripy coloring. So we'll also practice creating a pattern on a three-dimensional object (in our instance, a fish).

For this projection, we'll use just a couple of graphite pencils. A fish is a wonderful subject from the cartoon standpoint; information technology's a relatively like shooting fish in a barrel however fascinating thing to describe.

Y'all may too be interested in these great articles:

What You Will Need

To complete this project, you'll need the following equipment:

an HB graphite pencil
a 3B graphite pencil
an eraser
a canvass of cartoon paper

How to Depict an Angelfish

Step 1

With the HB pencil, I depict the rounded shape of the fish's torso.

A flat, round body lets an angelfish glide through the dense underwater plants. Knowing such nuances always helps you lot to create a credible drawing, so some quick research is beneficial.

Step 2

I add the shape of the head; it well-nigh overlaps the bigger body shape, leaving simply a tiny narrowed area on the left side.

I also draw the round middle with the pupil.

Step 3

I add the rough shape of the tail fin; it is forked with two pointed ends. So I bring together the shapes of the body and the tail fin.

Footstep 4

The front end dorsal fin of an angelfish has a complex shape. Let'southward construct it in several steps.

I depict the kickoff segment of the fin; its form is similar to a triangle with a curved side.

Drawing the first segment of the front dorsal fin

I add the second segment; it is longer than the previous one and bends towards the tail.

Adding the second segment of the dorsal fin

I depict the last segment with an S-shaped contour line.

Completing the shape of the front dorsal fin

Step v

I add the long, pointed ventral fins to the underside of the fish's body.

Pace 6

I draw the anal fin, adding it to the lower role of the fish's body.

The process is similar to designing the dorsal fin, but in this case without the smaller segment.

Step 7

I refine the mouth of the fish, drawing stylized "lips".

I also add the gill covers with a set of curved, organic lines.

Footstep viii

I add the small pectoral fin to the side of the fish.

So I refine the contours of the trunk, making them smoother and more streamlined.

Adding the side fin and refining the contours

Footstep 9

Information technology's time to add the details to the fins. I starting time with the dorsal fin, filling its shape with a pattern of paired lines that imitate spikes.

Don't forget to create a jagged top contour of the fin, joining the spikes with the curved lines.

Step x

I add the details to the tail fin, working in the same way. The best option is to kickoff from the sides, gradually moving towards the center of the fin shape.

A similar principle applies to the pectoral fin.

Stride 11

I add the design of lines to the ventral fins and the anal fin.

Pace 12

Angelfish usually accept a cute stripy pattern; information technology'due south time to mark information technology.

I add longer and shorter vertical stripes to the head and torso of the fish. You tin can be creative hither—vary the length and width of the stripes every bit you like. An organic blazon of line works great here.

Delight keep in mind that a fish is a three-dimensional object! Your shapes should emphasize the contours; don't draw just straight vertical lines.

Step thirteen

With the 3B graphite pencil, I darken the stripes and the sides of the fish, making my drawing more contrasting and iii-dimensional. Notation that the stripes begin on the body and continue on the fins.

The stripes are lighter in the upper and primal part of the body; this tonal gradation gives more volume to the drawing.

I also add pencil strokes to the center, leaving the vivid highlights.

Darkening the pattern and the body of the fish

Pace xiv

With the HB pencil, I utilize a layer of the light cross-hatching to the fish to make the drawing harmonious. Information technology'southward of import to find the balance between the contrast and tonal unity.

The lightest places here are the center of the body, the eye around the pupil and the highlight, and the pectoral fin.