How to Draw a Manta Ray (Easy Step by Step)
A manta ray is a great first ocean animal to draw because it is mostly one big fan shape. You only need a wide body, two little ears, a short wiggly tail, a happy face, and two curved wing lines. Every part is a simple curve or dot, so it works well for beginners.
- Easy
- 10 minutes
- 6 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a manta ray step by step
How to Draw a Manta Ray · 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: Wide body outline
Draw a big wide fan shape: start at the top middle, sweep out to a pointy corner on each side, then curve down to a point at the bottom. Leave a small gap at the top middle.
Step 3: Head and ears
In the gap at the top, draw two little rounded ears that stick up like bunny ears. Join them with a short bumpy line between them for the head.
Step 4: The tail
At the bottom point of the body, draw a short wiggly line going straight down, like a little ribbon.
Step 5: Happy face
Near the top of the body, draw two small round dots for eyes. Under them, draw a small curve like a smile.
Step 6: Wing lines
On each side below the face, draw one short gentle curve. Start near the side corner and sweep in toward the middle. Make both sides match.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your manta ray? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a manatee or how to draw a blobfish next.
Tips for drawing a manta ray
- Draw the wide body first and take your time. Aim for two pointy side corners, then curve the lines down to the bottom point.
- Make the two ears about the same height. Start each one as a little upside-down U so they match.
- Keep the tail short and give it one slow wiggle. If it wobbles, that is fine, because a wiggly tail looks like it is swimming.
- Draw the two wing lines last, and make them the same length on each side.
Free manta ray coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this manta ray 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 manta ray drawing
Try ocean blues and soft grays for the body, with a lighter color for the belly. For a creative twist, use a different shade on each side of the wing lines.
Manta ray fun fact for kids
Manta rays are related to sharks. Like sharks, their skeletons are made of bendy cartilage instead of bone, and they eat tiny floating food called plankton.
Questions about drawing a manta ray
What shapes do I need to draw a manta ray?
You need a big fan or kite shape for the body, two small rounded ears, two dots, a curve for the smile, a short wavy line for the tail, and two curved lines on the wings.
How do I make my manta ray look cuter?
Draw the eyes wide apart and the smile small and low. Round ears and a curvy tail also make it look friendly.
Is a manta ray easy to draw for a 6 year old?
Yes. The body is one big shape and the other parts are simple lines, so most kids can finish it in a short time.
