How to Draw a Merman (Easy Step by Step)
A merman is a fun mix of a friendly boy and a swishy fish tail. This one is built from a big circle for the head, a box for the shirt, and a few curvy lines for the arms and tail. The trident is just a tall straight line with a U on top.
- Medium
- 15 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 merman step by step
How to Draw a Merman · 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 big round head
Draw a big circle for the head, but stop a little early at the bottom to leave a small gap for the neck. Add tiny bumps along the top edge for puffy hair.
Step 3: The hair line
Inside the head, near the top, draw a wavy line from one side of the head to the other, like a fluffy bang of hair.
Step 4: The shirt
Under the head, draw a box with slightly wobbly sides for the shirt. Start the top line at the gap in the head so the shirt fits like a neck and shoulders.
Step 5: Both arms
On the left, draw a short curved line coming down from the shirt's side for the arm. On the right, draw a curved arm reaching out away from the shirt.
Step 6: The tail
Start under the shirt and draw a curved line down the left side to a pointed fin. Zigzag the fin edge, then curve a line along the bottom and up to the right.
Step 7: The trident
Draw a long straight line standing up on the right side of the merman, with a small gap near the bottom. At the top, add a curved U shape with a short crossing line for the three points.
Step 8: Face, hands and details
Add two dots for eyes and a small smile. Draw a small circle for each hand, with the right one on the trident. Finish with a curved necklace on the shirt and a few wavy scale lines on the tail.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your merman? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a pixie or how to draw an ogre next.
Tips for drawing a merman
- Draw the head circle first and make it big. The hair line and face sit inside it, so there is lots of room.
- The tail is the trickiest part. Draw the curved side down to the pointed fin, zigzag the fin edge, then sweep the bottom line back up.
- Draw the trident line with a ruler or a steady hand, and let the right hand circle sit right on top of it.
Free merman coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this merman 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 merman drawing
Try a sandy brown for the hair, a bright teal for the tail and a golden yellow for the trident. For a creative twist, color each tail scale a different shade of the rainbow.
Merman fun fact for kids
Stories about mermaids and mermen go back thousands of years, and sailors long ago sometimes mistook manatees for them. A manatee has a rounded paddle tail much like a mermaid's.
Questions about drawing a merman
What shapes do I need to draw a merman?
You need a big circle for the head, a box for the shirt, and small circles for the hands. The tail is a long curve that ends in a zigzag fin.
How do I draw a merman's tail?
Start under the shirt and draw a curved line down to a pointed fin with a zigzag edge. Then curve a line along the bottom and finish with a few wavy lines inside for the scales.
How do I make my merman look cuter?
Keep the head big, space the eyes wide apart and add a curvy smile. Small dots for eyes make a character look sweet and friendly.
