How to Draw a Sea Turtle (Easy Step by Step)
A sea turtle is a friendly one to draw because it is mostly ovals and curves. You will build a big shell, add a round head, four leaf-shaped flippers and a small tail, then finish with a hexagon pattern on the back and a smiling face. Once you have the shapes, the turtle practically draws itself.
- Easy
- 15 minutes
- 9 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a sea turtle step by step
How to Draw a Sea Turtle · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch these 2 ovals. They only show where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase them at the end.
Step 2: The shell outline
Draw the top and sides of a big tall oval in the middle of your page, and leave the bottom open for now. This is the turtle's shell, so leave room above it for the head and on both sides for flippers.
Step 3: The round head
Draw a small round arc sitting on top of the shell. Start and end it on the top edge of the shell so it looks like a circle tucked behind the shell.
Step 4: Front flippers
On each side of the shell near the top, draw a long leaf shape, like a big teardrop that points up and outward. Start and end each one on the side of the shell, and make the two flippers match.
Step 5: Back flippers and bottom
Near the bottom corners of the shell, draw two more leaf shapes pointing down and out. Connect them with a gently curved line along the bottom, which closes the shell.
Step 6: The inner shell ring
Inside the big oval, draw a smaller oval to make a rim around the edge. Leave an even gap all the way around, like a path around a pond.
Step 7: Hexagon, spokes and tail
In the center of the shell, draw a six-sided shape with flat sides on the top and bottom. Then draw a line from each of the four top and bottom corners out toward the edge of the shell. Add a tiny rounded tail at the very bottom, in the middle.
Step 8: Side shell lines
Draw a straight line from the left edge of the shell across to the hexagon, and another from the hexagon across to the right edge. These lines help split the shell into sections.
Step 9: A happy face
Give your turtle two small round dots for eyes inside the head. Then draw a little smile in between them, like a tiny bowl.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your sea turtle? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a dolphin or how to draw a shark next.
Tips for drawing a sea turtle
- Draw the big shell oval first and make it tall, so there is plenty of room for the head and flippers around it.
- The hexagon in the middle is the trickiest part. Draw the flat top and bottom lines first, then connect the corners on each side.
- Make the two front flippers match and the two back flippers match. Draw one side, then copy its size and angle on the other side.
Free sea turtle coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this sea turtle 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 sea turtle drawing
Try greens and teals for the shell and a lighter green for the head and flippers. For a creative twist, color each shell section a different shade, like a stained glass window.
Sea turtle fun fact for kids
Sea turtles breathe air, even though they live in the ocean. They swim up to the surface to take a breath, and when they are resting they can stay underwater for hours.
Questions about drawing a sea turtle
What shapes do I need to draw a sea turtle?
You need a big oval for the shell, a small circle for the head, and four leaf shapes for the flippers. A smaller oval and a hexagon inside the shell make the pattern.
How do I make my sea turtle look cuter?
Keep the head round and the eyes small and wide apart, then add a little curved smile. Big, rounded flippers also make it look friendly.
How do I draw the pattern on a turtle shell?
Draw a smaller oval inside the shell, then a six-sided shape in the center. Add lines from the hexagon's corners out to the edge and two lines across the sides. This makes neat sections that are easy to color.
