Are you ready to draw a beautiful fish? Don’t worry if you’ve never done it before. With some patience and a few quick tips, you’ll be able to produce a pleasing fish drawing in no time! For starters, the excellent advice from professional artists is to keep your shapes simple. A fish doesn’t have to be complex to look lifelike.
Observe a Reference Photo
Before you begin drawing, it’s a good idea to have a reference photo handy. Not only will a reference photo help you get your proportions down more accurately, but it will also serve as a point of inspiration. Choose a photo that captures the essence of what you want to draw, and it will be much simpler for you to convey the same feeling in your drawing.
Start With the Basic Shapes
The most basic way to draw a fish is to start with two circles and make a variety of adjustments. Since each kind of fish has its own visual characteristics, make sure you’re taking careful note of how your reference photo differs from the two circles. How is the body shaped? Are the fins wide or round? Are the eyes large or small? Your reference photo will be an essential guide as you slowly transition your circles into a realistic fish.
Apply the Details
Once you’re happy with the shapes of your fish, it’s time to apply the details. For example, you’ll need to draw the gills, fins, eyes, mouth, and scales. Again, pay attention to your reference photo, since the details you apply should accurately represent what a real fish looks like. It might take a few attempts to get the proportions and features just right, but don’t despair—just continue to adjust until you achieve the desired effect.
Add Color and Texture
Adding color to your drawing can make it truly come to life. With a few simple steps, you can go from a simple black and white sketch to a vibrant and eye-catching fish illustration. Choose some colors that you feel would look nice on the fish, and use a combination of brush strokes to give your drawing the appearance of texture. This can make it look much more realistic than if you were to just use flat colors.
Avoid Overworking the Drawing
When you draw a fish, it’s easy to get carried away with the details, but try to avoid overworking the drawing. Too much detail can obscure the natural beauty of the fish and make your drawing confusing for the viewer. Instead, try to work in the details slowly and carefully, and make sure that your overall drawing is still pleasing to the eye.
Stay Focused and Continue to Practice
Drawing is a skill that requires focus, practice, and perseverance—but the results are sure to be worth it. When you apply your newfound knowledge and you stay focused on the task, you just might surprise yourself with how quickly your fish drawings begin to truly come to life!
