How to Draw a Fish | Easy Summer Art Idea

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Welcome to our fun and easy drawing tutorial, “How to Draw a Fish” – the perfect artistic lesson to keep kids creatively engaged during the summer months!

In this tutorial, we’ll explore a fun and accessible approach to drawing a super cute fish with black and white crayons.

Using black and white crayons as a resist material, our simple fish drawing will take shape in a fascinating way, revealing secret patterns and textures with a wash of paint.

The resist technique involves applying wax-based crayons onto the paper, which will resist the watercolors later on, allowing the fish to come alive with vibrant hues while retaining the fun details drawn in crayon.

Our simple fish design is drawn using the flow drawing technique, which aims to foster Arty Crafty Kids creativity while eliminating the pressure of achieving perfection. By embracing their natural rhythms and focusing on simple shapes, young artists can enjoy the freedom to create with joy and spontaneity.

How to Make Summer Art with the How to Draw a Fish Step-by-Step Tutorial:

Our how to draw tutorial utilizes the ‘flow drawing technique’. This is a method of drawing that encourages children not to aim for perfect lines and shapes but to instead engage with their natural flow by drawing in a rhythmical way – often repeating lines over and over to help define lines. 

This technique allows children to draw and engage in art in a much freer way, incorporating a mindful approach to the process. 

Materials: 

• White Card Stock or Mix-Media Paper/ Watercolor Paper
• A Black and White Crayon or Oil Pastel 
• Watercolor Paint
• Black Marker Pen
• White Acrylic Pen

Download the How to Draw a Fish Step-By-Step Tutorial:  

The step-by-step guide ensures easy comprehension, allowing children to master the art of drawing fish in no time.

Whether they prefer vibrant colors or want to design their unique fish, the included coloring page and blank outline provide options for children of all ages and ability.

The How to Draw a Fish Step-by-Step Printable, Coloring Page and Fish Outline is available 
to members of the Arty Crafty Kids club. 
Members will need to log in to access the templates: https://www.artycraftykids.com/product/flow-drawing-how-to-draw-a-fish-template/

Not a Member?

Watch How Easy the Fish is to Draw!

Step 1: Draw a large oval shape. This will form the fish body.

Believe it or not, round shapes can be tricky to draw! Use the flow drawing technique by repeating the curved lines until a defined shape emerges.

This artistic engagement in motion will take the pressure off drawing a perfect round shape – watch the video tutorial to see this method in action!

Step 2: Draw two lines to form the fish Caudal Peduncle ( the Fish Tail!).

Try to mirror these two initial lines of the tail fin – if necessary, use a pencil first to sketch the lines.

Step 3: Complete the Fish tail with adjoining lines that taper towards its body.

Step 4: Next, draw a pair of fish fins.

The fins drawn at the top and at the bottom of the fish are called the dorsal fins and pelvic fin ( another term for ventral fin).

Step 5: Draw the mouth and eye of the fish, along with a gill cover (separator line) to define the head.

The gill cover is simple one lovely curved line that helps to define the fish head.

For the eye, simply draw one large circle with a small pupil.

Add a smile to create a cartoon-like fish or draw big fish lips for a more realistic presentation.

Step 6: Draw a fin on side of the fish ( the pectoral fin) and draw scales using a white crayon!

Depending the type of fish your Arty Crafty Kids wish to design i.e a goldfish, rainbow fish, clownfish etc, they may choose to draw stripes, large escalloped scales (half circles) or small condensed ones.

Using this easy fish drawing tutorial, Arty Crafty Kids have a basic shape to draw all different types of fish and with a little research, could draw inspiration from the fish found in the nature.

Step 7: Next, design an under the sea habitat!

Use a black crayon to draw rocks, seaweed and a sandy bed. Maybe add a additional sea creatures such as a jelly fish or crab!

Use a white crayon to draw large bubbles within the sea and outline the fish with white crayon – the wax will prevent the watercolor paint from seeping into those areas, preserving their brightness and creating contrast.

Let’s Paint the Fish Drawing

Step 1: Thoroughly wet the paintbrush and mix with blue watercolor paint. Spread the paint across the the “sea” area, washing over the waxy round bubbles hidden in the background.

Use different shades of blue to add depth to the water and encourage your Arty Crafty Kids to play with water to paint ratios to paint a watery texture.

Step 2: Spread a mix of colors across the fish body to reveal the hidden scales!

Step 3: Continue painting, using lots of contrasting colors.

Step 4: Once the painting has dried, use a black marker pen to add detail to the seaweed.

Step 5: Use a white acrylic pen alongside the black marker for extra detailing – this could include dots, lines, swirls etc.

We hope you enjoy this step-by-step fish drawing tutorial. This tutorial is designed for beginners and children of all ages.

Once your Arty Crafty Kids have mastered the basic shape of the fish, they can customize with their own patterns and designs – maybe even draw a whole shoal of fish!

Arty Crafty Kids could also adapt this tutorial to draw a clown fish or an angel fish. To practice their designs, download our “Fish Drawing Prompt” to help children explore different styles and colors before committing to their final design.

More Summer Art projects for Kids: 

In this collection of summer themed art projects, children of all ages will discover new ways to express themselves through various mediums, techniques, and themes inspired by the vibrant season.

From painting ocean animals to designing tropical sunsets, each project is designed to ignite their imagination, cultivate their artistic skills, and celebrate the joy and beauty of summer.