How to Draw a Whale (Easy Step by Step)
A whale is a friendly drawing built from a few easy shapes: one big round body with a curved tail, two leaf shapes for the tail fins, and a pointy oval for the flipper. Once the body is down, small details like the face, the belly line and the water spout bring it to life. This is a good first ocean animal because every line is smooth and curved.
- 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 whale step by step
How to Draw a Whale · 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 and tail stalk
Draw a big, round body that starts at the top, curves down the left side and along the bottom. Then draw the tail stalk: a curved line that rises from the lower right of the body up to the top right, with the top end curling over a little.
Step 3: The tail fins
At the top of the tail stalk, draw two leaf shapes side by side that meet in a small V in the middle. Start with the left fin, then add the right fin.
Step 4: The flipper
Draw a small pointy oval, like a lemon or a leaf, on the lower middle of the body.
Step 5: Eyes and smile
Near the left side of the body, draw two small round dots for eyes. Between them and a little lower, draw a tiny curved smile.
Step 6: The belly line
Near the bottom of the body, draw one long smooth curve that follows the shape of the belly. Start on the left and stop before you reach the right edge.
Step 7: Water spout
Above the whale's head, draw a short straight line. Then add a curved arc on each side of it that bends down and away, like a fountain spraying water.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your whale? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a jellyfish or how to draw a crab next.
Tips for drawing a whale
- Sketch the big body very lightly first. It is the biggest part, so getting its size right makes everything else fit.
- The tail is the trickiest part. Draw the curved stalk with the body, then add the two fins so they meet in a small V shape at the top.
- Keep the face small on the left side of the body. Two dots and a tiny smile look cutest when they sit close together.
Free whale coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this whale 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 whale drawing
Try ocean blue for the body with a lighter blue or white for the belly, and a pink flipper. For a creative twist, color the water spout in rainbow stripes.
Whale fun fact for kids
Whales are mammals, not fish. They breathe air through a blowhole on top of their heads, which is why you see a spout of mist when they come up to the surface.
Questions about drawing a whale
What shapes do I need to draw a whale?
You need one big round shape for the body with a curved tail stalk, two leaf shapes for the tail fins, and a small pointy oval for the flipper.
How do I make my whale look cuter?
Draw the eyes as two small round dots and the smile as a tiny curve, and keep them close together on the left side of the body. The curved belly line and the water spout add extra charm.
How do I draw the whale tail so it looks right?
Draw a curved stalk that rises from the back of the body. Then draw two leaf-shaped fins at the top so they meet in a small V.
