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How to Draw a Dolphin: A Simple Guide For Beginners

If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to draw a dolphin, this guide will help you capture its smooth and streamlined appearance. Follow along as I break down its key features and guide you step by step.

Understanding the Dolphin’s Features

  • Elongated body with a sleek, curved shape.
  • Distinct dorsal fin on top, positioned slightly behind the middle of the back.
  • Long, pointed snout.
  • Small pectoral fins on each side.
  • Tail fin that spreads horizontally.
  • A streamlined design with minimal visible details.

Once you’ve finished your dolphin drawing, you might want to try sketching other sea creatures, such as a blue whale or a sea turtle.

About This Dolphin Drawing Guide

To make the drawing process easier, this guide uses a color-coded system:

  • Red Color: Represents the current step to focus on.
  • Black Color: Shows lines that you’ve already completed.
  • Grey Color: Indicates the basic sketch used for structure.

This approach keeps the drawing organized and allows you to track your progress easily.

Step 1: Let’s start drawing the dolphin without a basic sketch. First, draw a long curved line forming an arc to shape the upper part of the dolphin’s body up to the tail.

Before You Get Started

Quick note: aside from this step-by-step guide, I also offer Printable Coloring Pages that might spark fresh ideas or simply help you unwind. Feel free to check them out if you’re looking for extra creative fun!


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How to draw a dolphin, step 1, drawing the upper body arc

Step 2: Draw the upper part of the dolphin’s rostrum, which is the top of its mouth or beak.

How to draw a dolphin, step 2, drawing the upper part of the rostrum

Step 3: Draw the lower part of the dolphin’s rostrum and continue this line down to where the fin will be.

How to draw a dolphin, step 3, drawing the lower part of the rostrum

Step 4: Draw the fin that’s closer to us, as we’re drawing the dolphin from a side view.

How to draw a dolphin, step 4, drawing the side fin

Step 5: Draw an oval near the mouth and fill it in with black, leaving a small area uncolored for a highlight. This will be the dolphin’s eye.

How to draw a dolphin, step 5, drawing the eye

Step 6: Continue the line of the dolphin’s lower body from the fin down to where the tail will be.

How to draw a dolphin, step 6, continuing the lower body line

Step 7: Draw the outline shape of the tail.

How to draw a dolphin, step 7, drawing the tail outline

Step 8: In this step, we’ll draw the second side fin of the dolphin, known as the pectoral fin, and also the dorsal fin on its back.

How to draw a dolphin, step 8, drawing the second pectoral fin and the dorsal fin

Step 9: With the sketch of the dolphin complete, refine any details, add missing elements, or erase any excess lines. Optionally, you can outline your sketch with a pen or ink and then erase all pencil marks to achieve a clean, crisp drawing.

How to draw a dolphin, step 9, completing and refining the sketch

Step 10: You can also color the dolphin. Use the attached image as a reference or choose your own colors.

How to draw a dolphin, step 10, coloring the dolphin

Bravo on Completing the Steps!

Ready to unwind? SketchOk's Coloring Pages Collection is a great way to de-stress and add a splash of color to your day. Feel free to explore and experiment!

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Don’t forget to share your completed dolphin drawings in the comments on Pinterest! It’s exciting to see your creativity in action.

Disclaimer: All original artworks and photos used as references for the creation of these drawing tutorials are the property of their respective owners. If your work has been featured without proper credit, please kindly leave a comment below, and the issue will be promptly addressed. We greatly appreciate your exceptional art. Thank you.

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