How to draw a dolphin step by step in pencil - technique features, choice of materials, easy workshops and beautiful photo examples

Dolphin Drawing Techniques

There are many ways to paint for beginners, but not all of them can be used immediately. Some types of painting require practice, experience and certain artistic skills. Among the huge variety of drawing techniques the following should be noted:

1. Drawing with a simple pencil.
2. Drawing with watercolors.
3. Drawing with pastel.

All of these presented techniques are available for mastering even for inexperienced masters.

Tools and materials for work

For independent creative work, you will need the following set of tools:

• A set of simple and colored pencils.
• An eraser.
• A set of felt-tip pens.
• A4 size paper, broad gauge paper.
• A set of watercolors.
• A set of brushes of different sizes.

If you wish, you can supplement this list with gouache and pastel crayons. The retouched pastel drawings make very realistic dolphins. The workplace should be well organized: a flat tabletop, a chair with a back and armrests, quality lighting.

Master classes on drawing dolphins

A dolphin can be represented as a single figure, or you can depict a whole flock of interesting animals in the sea foam. Among the huge variety of drawings, paintings and sketches, we will learn to depict the following:

1. A single dolphin in pencil.
2. A pack of dolphins in the sea in watercolor.
3. Two dolphins: an adult and a baby dolphin.

Each master class will teach the novice artist how to realize his or her ideas on paper in frontal and side projection.

Single dolphin in pencils

First you should learn how to draw a single dolphin in side projection, and only then move on to more complex images on paper. A schematic representation of a sea animal will be useful for both children and adults with no artistic skills. Instructions on how to make a sketch of a dolphin and give it clear shapes:

1. On a sheet of paper, draw a straight line directed diagonally.
2. Around the guiding line outline an oval, slightly widened at the head end of the future marine representative.
3. At the front end to sketch a sharp "beak", which by shading give a smooth line dolphin snout.
4. Tail fin is depicted in the classic way for all fish.
5. Another fin with clear lines is depicted on the back of the sea animal.
6. Under the belly you need to display two fins - two curved horns. The posterior horn is placed in the picture so that it is 1/3 of the way out from behind the front fin.

Lastly, the body oval is retouched to try to portray the animal in motion. Drawing the muzzle is a challenge. Dolphins are the most intelligent and positive sea representatives. It is better to have ready-made photos or drawings of dolphins, and then use the model to give your figure a proper expression and facial expressions.

Drawing a pack of dolphins

To depict a more complex composition, you will need pencils, paints (watercolor or gouache) and a sheet of heavy paper. To create a large drawing, you can use Watman paper that is more dense than standard landscape paper. The image of a pack of dolphins is carried out according to the already known scheme, but with an additional representation of a sea background. Instructions for beginner artists:

1. A pack of dolphins has to be located in a certain position on a picture, so for the convenience of representing the figures, you can line up the sheet into squares (similar to a chessboard).
2. Dolphin figures are depicted according to the already known scheme, using a simple pencil.
3. Retouching and processing of small details is done last.
4. The next step for the master is to work with watercolors or gouache.
5. For the correct placement of the colors, you can use a ready-made photo of dolphins or paint the figures to your liking.
6. The belly of the dolphin is left white, and the other parts are painted blue. The intensity of coloring increases as we approach the fins, and the side surfaces of the body are made in pale blue tones.

The contours of the dolphins are highlighted in darker colors to create a contrast with the sea abyss. Waves can be depicted with a pencil in the form of wavy single lines. You can also try drawing waves and sea foam using watercolor paint in white.

Two dolphins in a child's drawing

For a child's drawing, you can use felt-tip pens to depict two dolphins: an adult and a baby. For the convenience of the little artist, you can draw a straight line on a sheet of paper with a simple pencil, but you can do without it. Both figures will be located in a lateral projection, with their spouts facing each other. Instructions for drawing dolphins:

1. Start drawing with an adult sea animal. Smooth lines lead from the nose, then make a curve to depict the head. Next smooth curve draws a line on the back.
2. The back line is drawn to the caudal fin, envelope the tail and then draw the abdomen.
3. Abdomen must have a convexity around the head. Close the drawing contour at the bottom of the muzzle.
4. The next stage is the drawing of fins on the image - according to the already presented scheme: two horns on the belly, one clear fin on the back.
5. The baby dolphin is depicted as a mirror copy of the parent, but much smaller in size.

Blue color paint dolphin figures with markers - more saturated colors for fins and back, lighter shades - for the torso, a white insert for the image of the belly.

Learn the art of drawing can absolutely any beginner, who needs only creativity and desire.

Photo ideas and examples for drawing dolphins