Drawing an octopus doesn’t have to be tricky. To take your art to the next level, all you need is a few simple steps, a bit of patience and a whole lot of creativity! Before you dive into this carefully crafted guide, do remember that every artist is unique and has a style of their own. Make sure to explore and express yourself freely as you draw this incredible creature.
Step One: Sketching the Basic Outline
Using either a pencil or a fine-tipped pen, lightly sketch out the basic octopus that has two circles for the head, two arms coming down from either side of the head, and four arms in a circle shape on the left and right side. Don’t forget to draw the tentacles, which create a star pattern with eight points. Finally, draw the eyes as two small circles and then erase the extra lines.
Step Two: Drawing the Body
Once the octopus outline is complete, it’s time to create the body. Using your pencil or pen, draw a curvy shape along the top of the head and the arms to form the body. Then, draw two more arcs near the bottom of the head, connecting them together so that the body looks like an orange segment. Don’t forget to draw the fins on both sides of the body as well.
Step Three: Adding Details
Next, it’s time to add details to the octopus. Starting with the head, draw the suction cups of the tentacles on one side of the head and then draw eight small circles around the eyes. Then, draw several circles at the end of each arm, giving them more texture and definition. Finally, draw the stripes along the body and the tentacles.
Step Four: Coloring
Once your sketch is complete, it’s time to bring it to life with color. Start by selecting a color palette that you love. For a realistic octopus, opt for tones of blue, green, and brown, or you can be creative and choose other colors too. Make sure to blend the colors together, creating a soft gradient effect on the body and tentacles. Finally, add some highlights with white paint or a white pencil.
Step Five: Finishing Touches
Once you’re happy with your octopus artwork, it’s time to add some finishing touches. Outline the body with a black pen or a fine-tipped marker to make the octopus stand out and make sure to erase any extra pencil lines. Connect the shapes to make the outline clean and neat. Finally, add some bubbly texture by lightly shading around the edges. And voilà — your octopus artwork is complete! Just add a signature and you’re good to go!
Section one: Providing the tools
When it comes to drawing an octopus, having the correct tools is essential. A sharp pencil, eraser, fine-tipped pen, and some colored pencils or watercolors are necessary for a successful piece of artwork. Make sure to choose high-quality materials in order to get the best results. A sketchbook or drawing pad is also helpful to keep all your sketches in one place and ensure that your artwork lasts for years to come.
Section two: Knowing your subject
Before you begin drawing, it’s important to understand your subject. While you don’t necessarily have to be an expert in octopuses, brush up on your knowledge of their anatomy and behaviors. Research different octopuses and take a look at some professional illustrations to get a better idea of how they look. This will make it easier to draw them in an accurate way and also give you inspiration to create something unique.
Section three: Having patience
Drawing is a process, and it can take time to get it right. Don’t rush the process or try to do too much at once. Have patience and take your time to perfect each individual step. Make use of reference images and practice often in order to become comfortable with the oceanic friend. It’s worth it in the end, when you can show off your amazing artwork!
Section four: Enjoying the process
One of the best parts about creating art is the process itself. Don’t get hung up on the results or worry if it’s perfect — just enjoy the moment and immerse yourself in the activity. Let your creativity flow, take a break if you need one, and don’t be afraid to push your skills to the max. Have fun and don’t forget to show off your awesome octopus creation!
