How to Draw a Dolphin (Easy Step by Step)
A jumping dolphin is a happy drawing that looks like it is moving. It is built from a tilted body shape, a pointy fin, a curved tail, a leaf-shaped flipper, and a few teardrop splashes. Once you can draw those simple shapes, you can draw a dolphin.
- Easy
- 12 minutes
- 8 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a dolphin step by step
How to Draw a Dolphin · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch this oval. It only shows where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase it at the end.
Step 2: Body outline
Use the light oval as your guide. Draw the curve of the back from the left, over the top, to a rounded nose at the top right. Then draw the belly curve underneath, and finish with two short lines at the bottom left for the tail stalk.
Step 3: The back fin
On top of the back, draw a tall, pointy fin with one straight side and one curved side, like a little sail. Its bottom sits on the back line.
Step 4: Lower tail fin
At the bottom left, draw one curved line. Start at the pointy left tip of the tail and sweep it down and to the right to meet the bottom tail line.
Step 5: The side flipper
On the right side of the body, draw a long, thin leaf shape that is pointed at both ends. It looks like a little paddle for swimming.
Step 6: Eye and smile
Near the top right of the head, draw a small round dot for the eye. Near the tip of the nose, draw a short curved smile line.
Step 7: The belly line
Near the bottom of the body, draw one short curved line that follows the curve of the belly.
Step 8: Splashing drops
Below the dolphin, draw three little water drops in a row that climbs up toward the right. Each one has a round bottom and a small point at the top, like a teardrop.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your dolphin? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a shark or how to draw an octopus next.
Tips for drawing a dolphin
- Use the light oval as a guide and tilt it so the head end is higher than the tail. That tilt makes the dolphin look like it is leaping out of the water.
- The tail is the trickiest part. Keep the tail stalk narrow where it joins the body, then sweep one smooth curve out to the pointy tip.
- Draw the three splash drops in a row that climbs up toward the right, and keep them small. That makes the water look like it is flying.
Free dolphin coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this dolphin coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your dolphin drawing
Color the dolphin in light and dark blue or gray, and leave the belly lighter. For a creative twist, color the water drops in rainbow colors, one for each drop.
Dolphin fun fact for kids
Dolphins sleep with half of their brain at a time, so one eye can stay open while they rest.
Questions about drawing a dolphin
What shapes do I need to draw a dolphin?
You need a tilted oval as a guide for the body, a pointy fin on the back, a curved tail, and a leaf shape for the side flipper. Teardrops make the splashes.
How do I make my dolphin look happy?
Draw a small round dot for the eye and a short curved smile near the tip of the nose. Keep the smile small and gently curved.
How do I make my dolphin look like it is jumping?
Tilt the body so the head points up, and add water drops below it. The drops show that the dolphin just left the water.
