If you’re looking for a fun activity to help your kids learn about sharks, then this is perfect for you! These step-by-step instructions will show you how to draw a shark easy, both as a realistic and cartoon drawing. This task was perfect to outsource to my niece, Alyssa, and she has done an awesome job!
Aspiring to be a photographer, amongst many other things, Alyssa shows us that sharks are not the big bad ocean beasts they are often made out to be. Perhaps more people might come to this conclusion on their own with a finished drawing. Bring out the pencils, paper, and eraser – let’s get to drawing.
Table of Contents
How to Draw a Great White Shark Easy
When learning how to draw an easy shark, a great white is a good species to start with since they are so recognizable. With just a few simple shapes you can create a basic shark that still looks realistic.
Step 1: Draw the Body Shape
Draw the shark’s body as a long oblong shape with pointed ends for the shark’s head and tail.
Step 2: Draw the Eye
Near the top pointed edge, where the head will be, draw a small black circle. Did you know that some sharks have fantastic night vision? This helps them see in dark-lighted areas.
Step 3: Draw the Mouth & Teeth
Just below the eye, draw two curved lines coming together in a point near the middle of its head. Inside the mouth shape, create sharp teeth using a zigzag pattern.
Step 4: Draw the Dorsal Fin & Pectoral Fins
Around the middle of the top line of the body shape, draw a curved triangular shape to form the dorsal fin. In the center of the shark, draw a longer pointed curved and horizontal triangular shape for the right pectoral fin. For the left pectoral fin, draw a similar shape but pointing down at an angle.
Step 5: Draw the Tail & Final Fins
At the tail end of the shark, draw one smaller and one larger wide V. Connect the v-shapes to form a tail and extend the body lines to connect to the tail. Near the tail, draw the ventral fins by adding two smaller triangular shapes pointing downwards. Just like pectoral fins, these fins help sharks turn, roll and move up and down in the ocean.
Step 6: Draw the Body Outline
Starting at the shark’s nose, draw a curved uneven line all the way back to the tail. This is to show the two different colors of skin on this fierce shark species. Did you know that shark skin feels very much like sandpaper? That’s because it is made up of tiny teeth-like structures named placoid scales.
Step 7: Color In the Shark
Give the top half, tail, and top fin the same shade. Give the bottom half of the shark, the bottom fin, ventral and pectoral fins the same color but a shade lighter than the top half of the shark.
How to Draw a Shark Step by Step (Cartoon)
How do you draw a shark with a more cartoon-like character? This simple how-to guide will take you through each step. Let older kids experiment with their own version of a cartoon shark so they can have some fun and learn about different kinds of sharks. It’s a perfect Shark Week activity.
Step 1: Draw the Shark’s Head
Draw a large curved open triangle. This will form the head of the cartoon shark.
Step 2: Draw the Cartoon Eyes
For a more cartoon-like face, draw two egg-shaped circles for the eyes. Add pupils and eyebrows for a friendlier look.
Step 3: Draw the Shark’s Mouth & Nose
Near the middle of the head, draw two curved lines ending in an upward point for a smiling mouth. Draw a zigzag pattern inside the mouth for its teeth. Between the eyes and mouth but nearer the tip of the head, draw a circle for its nose.
Step 4: Extend the Body
Extend the top and bottom lines of the shark’s body, coming closer together but still curved.
Step 5: Draw the Gills
In the center of the shark’s shape, draw 3 short lines for the shark’s gills.
Step 6: Draw the Fins
Along the bottom line of the shark, draw two curved triangles pointing downwards. These are the pectoral fins. Draw another curved triangular shape pointing upwards, along the top line of the body. This is the dorsal fin.
Step 7: Draw the Tail
Extend the two body lines further, now curving downwards. Draw two v-shapes and connect them to form the tail. Extend the body lines to connect to the tail.
Step 8: Color in the Shark
For the final touches, add in more fins! Close to the tail, draw the ventral fins, two small curved triangles facing downward and the second dorsal fin, one small curved triangle facing up. Then color in the shark as you like. Feel free to get creative since it is only a cartoon.
Conclusion
Hopefully, these simple drawing tutorials that Alyssa has provided you will really help you learn how to draw a shark easy. Always start with a basic shape and use a curved line for a more natural look, in both the real-looking shark and cartoon shark.
These are just some of the many ideas for activities that you can do for shark week and instill an appreciation for the animals of the ocean in kids and adults alike!
