How to Draw a Mermaid Tail (Easy Step by Step)
A mermaid tail is a fun drawing because it is made of simple curves that kids already know, like leaf shapes, wavy lines, and teardrops. You start with a big fin on top, add a tapered body, and finish with scales and splashing water drops.
- Easy
- 12 minutes
- 7 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a mermaid tail step by step
How to Draw a Mermaid Tail · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: The two fin lobes
Draw two big leaf shapes, like rabbit ears, leaning away from each other. Let them meet in a little dip in the middle, and curve the bottom edges in toward each other, leaving a small gap between them.
Step 2: Lines inside the fin
Inside each lobe, draw one gently curved line that follows the shape of the fin. Start near the top outer edge and slide down toward the gap at the bottom.
Step 3: The tail body
From the narrow spot under the fin, draw two lines that spread wider as they go down, like a tall bell or a gentle triangle with round sides. Stop at the bottom without joining them.
Step 4: The water ripple
At the bottom of the tail, draw a wide flat oval for the water. Let the ends of your tail lines meet the oval's sides.
Step 5: First row of scales
Near the top of the body, draw a wavy line of two small bumps hanging down, like a little scallop. Let its ends touch the tail lines on each side.
Step 6: More rows of scales
Below the first row, draw two more wavy rows. Each one stretches all the way across the body from one tail line to the other, so they stack like fish scales.
Step 7: Splashing droplets
Draw four water drops floating beside the tail, two on each side. Make each one with a small point on top and a round bottom, like a tiny teardrop.
All done!
Go over your lines with a marker, then color it in.
Finished your mermaid tail? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw an ice castle or how to draw an astronaut cat next.
Tips for drawing a mermaid tail
- Draw the two fin lobes at the same height first. If one looks bigger, make the other a little rounder to match.
- The scale rows are the trickiest part. Draw each wavy row lightly first, and keep the bumps in a row about the same size.
- Make the tail narrow where the fin joins the body. That pinched spot is what makes the fin look like it is flowing.
Free mermaid tail coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this mermaid tail 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 mermaid tail drawing
Try a sparkly ombre, with teal at the bottom turning to purple at the fin, and color each scale row a slightly different shade. For a creative twist, color the water drops in rainbow colors.
Mermaid tail fun fact for kids
Fish tails stand up and swing side to side, while whale and dolphin tails lie flat and move up and down.
Questions about drawing a mermaid tail
What shapes do I need to draw a mermaid tail?
You need two leaf shapes for the fin, a tall bell shape for the body, a flat oval for the water, and wavy rows for the scales. Teardrops make the splashes.
How do I make the scales look neat?
Draw one wavy row at a time, from one side of the tail to the other. It helps to sketch each row lightly in pencil first.
How do I make my mermaid tail look more magical?
Color the fin and scales in shimmery shades like teal, pink, and purple, and give each water drop its own bright color.
