Easy drawing · step by step

How to draw a fish

Meet Pip. In 16 easy steps you’ll draw a cheerful fish with a big round eye, a wavy top fin and rows of scales, using a pencil and paper: a big circle to start, then the fins, the scales and soft shading.

16 steps
Beginner
Pencil and paper

Or follow the steps

A finished pencil drawing of a cute fish with a big round eye, a smile, a wavy top fin and rows of scales — Pip, finished

You’ll need

A pencil (an HB is fine)
Paper
An eraser

Draw a fish, step by step

This step’s lines
Already drawn

Draw everything in pencil: the blue only shows what’s new in each step. Save all 16 steps to Pinterest

STEP 1Guide lines
Body guides
Start light: a big circle for the head, then two gentle curves from its top and bottom, drawing in towards the tail.

Draw these lightly: they’re only there to help, and you’ll rub them out in step 12.
STEP 2Guide lines
Tail and fin guides
Two long lines fanning out from the narrow end for the tail, a pointed tent shape on the back for the top fin, and two short slanting lines underneath for the little fins.

Draw these lightly: they’re only there to help, and you’ll rub them out in step 12.
STEP 3Outline
The back and head
Now the outline: from partway along the back, over the top, round the big rounded front to the lips, and back under the chin.
STEP 4Outline
The tail and belly
Carry the back on into the tail, out to its top point, in to the notch and out to the bottom point. Then back to the body and along the belly. Last, a wavy line where the tail joins the body.
STEP 5Outline
The face line
One big curve from under the chin, up and round behind the eye, to show where the head ends.
STEP 6Outline
The top fin
From the top of the head, up over the top fin with its wavy edge, and down again to the back.
STEP 7Outline
The fins underneath
The big fin first: along its top, round its rounded end and back. Then the small fin behind it, round and back along its top, and a short line to close the big fin.
STEP 8Outline
The eye
A big round eye. Then the pupil, an oval leaning against the right-hand side of the eye, and a small circle at its top for the glint. Just outlines for now.
STEP 9Outline
The smile
From the lips, a smile curving back into the cheek, with a little tick at the end.
STEP 10Outline
Fin lines
Now the thin lines on the fins: a few across the top fin, six fanning out across the tail, and a few on each little fin underneath.
STEP 11Outline
The scales
Now the fun bit: the scales, little curves like the letter c. Start with a wavy row just behind the face line, then work back towards the tail, a row at a time, each row a little shorter.
STEP 12Clean lines
Erase the guides
Rub out the circle and guide lines. Only the fish stays.
STEP 13Clean lines
Go over the outline
Now press harder and go over the outside edge of the whole fish, so it stands out from the lines inside.
STEP 14Shading
Shadow side
The light comes from above. Shade the underside with a soft, even tone: the belly, the bottom of the tail and the fins. Keep most of the fish white.
STEP 15Shading
Deep shadows
Press a little harder in the deepest places: under the chin, along the belly and on the bottom of the tail.
STEP 16Shading
The darks
Last of all, fill in the pupil, leaving the glint white.

Tips for a better fish

A big circle for the head
Start with a big circle, then two gentle curves from its top and bottom, drawing in towards the tail. Keep them light: they get rubbed out in step 12.
Fan out the tail
Two long lines fanning out from the narrow end, with a notch in the middle, make the tail.
Show where the head ends
One big curve from under the chin, up round behind the eye, separates the head from the body.
Scales a row at a time
Little c-shaped curves, a row at a time from the head back to the tail, each row a little shorter.
Shade underneath
The light comes from above, so shade the belly, the bottom of the tail and the fins, and keep most of the fish white.

Pip’s world has 9 more drawings

DrawRabbit has 95 narrated drawings in 10 worlds, from axolotls to dragons. You draw each one with a real pencil and paper, and the first drawing in every world is free.

The fishbowl
The lily pad
The waterfall
The reef

Free to start · iPhone and iPad

Questions

Is this fish easy to draw?

Yes. It starts with one big circle and a few guide lines, so the shape is right before you add any detail. The scales take a little patience, but each one is just a small curve.

What do I need?

A pencil, paper and an eraser. Draw the first steps lightly: the guide lines are rubbed out in step 12.

How do I draw fish scales?

Little curves like the letter c. Start with a wavy row just behind the line where the head ends, then work back towards the tail a row at a time, each row a little shorter.

Can kids draw it?

Yes. It’s made for beginners of any age. If reading the steps is hard, the draw-along talks you through each line while it draws.

What is DrawRabbit?

A drawing app for iPhone and iPad: narrated, step-by-step lessons you follow with a real pencil and paper. 95 drawings in 10 worlds, free to start, no account needed.

Made by DrawRabbit, from the app’s own narrated lesson: the step pictures are drawn by the same stroke-by-stroke player. Updated 21 October 2026.