These fairy tale directed drawing tutorials will have your students drawing magical characters in no time. Let them follow these simple fairy tale step by step drawing guides to draw some of the most popular characters that appear in many stories.Each of the fairy tale drawing tutorials comes in two
How To Draw A Mermaid
First, begin with a small circle and a long hooked curve. This is the line of position the mermaid is in.
Step 2.
Add a line for the shoulders where the neckline ends. This is the mermaid’s shoulders. Also add a straight line that indicates the mermaid’s hips.
Step 3.
Start drawing a long box-like shape beneath the shoulders lines for the torso. This is the mermaid’s beautiful figurine! Now add a fat tail curving like a hook. This is the maiden’s lustrous tail.
Materials Needed to Draw a Mermaid Tail
Before you start drawing, you’ll need to gather the right materials. This will ensure that you have everything you need to create a stunning mermaid tail drawing. Let’s go through the essential items you’ll need:
Choosing the Right Paper and Pencil
Paper: It’s important to choose a suitable paper for your drawing. A smooth surface such as drawing paper or sketchbook paper is ideal, as it will allow your pencil to glide easily when drawing fine details like scales. You can also opt for a heavier paper like watercolor paper if you plan to add color later using wet media.
Pencil: A regular graphite pencil (like an HB or 2B) is perfect for sketching the basic shapes and outlines of your mermaid tail. For darker shading, you may want to use a softer pencil like a 4B or 6B. Mechanical pencils are also a great option, as they provide a consistent line width and don’t require sharpening.
Colors and Shading Tools
Colors: Depending on your preference, you can use colored pencils, markers, watercolors, or even digital tools to add vibrant colors to your mermaid tail drawing. For a more natural look, consider using shades of blues, greens, and purples. You can also mix in some metallic colors like gold or silver for a magical touch.
Shading tools: To achieve smooth shading and blending, consider using a blending stump or a cotton swab. These tools will help you create soft transitions between different shades and give your mermaid tail a more realistic appearance.
Erasers and Blending Techniques
Erasers: A good eraser is essential for correcting mistakes and creating highlights in your drawing. A kneaded eraser is a versatile option, as it can be molded into different shapes and sizes to erase small details or large areas. A white vinyl eraser is also useful for cleanly erasing graphite without leaving smudges.
Blending techniques: When shading your mermaid tail, it’s important to use the right blending techniques to create a smooth and natural look. Try using a circular or back-and-forth motion with your pencil to build up layers of shading gradually. Experiment with different pressures to achieve a range of tones, and don’t be afraid to go back and forth between your pencil and eraser to achieve the desired effect.
Starting with Basic Shapes to Draw a Mermaid Tail
Now that you have all the necessary materials, it’s time to start drawing your mermaid tail! Don’t worry if you’re a beginner or if you’ve never drawn one before. We’ll guide you through the process by breaking it down into simple, easy-to-follow steps. The key to creating a beautiful mermaid tail is to start with basic shapes and gradually build up the details. Let’s dive in!
Sketching Guidelines for Proportions
First things first, let’s establish some guidelines to help you maintain proper proportions when drawing your mermaid tail. This will ensure that your final drawing looks balanced and natural. Here’s what to do:
- Draw a vertical line in the center of your paper. This will serve as the spine of your mermaid tail.
- Next, draw a horizontal line about halfway down the page. This will mark the point where the tail begins to flare out and form the fins.
- Finally, draw another horizontal line near the bottom of the page. This will be the widest part of the tail before it narrows back down to form the tip of the fins.
These guidelines will help you visualize the overall shape of the mermaid tail as you draw, making it easier to create a balanced and proportional design.
Creating the Tail Shape
With your guidelines in place, it’s time to start drawing the shape of the mermaid tail. Here’s how:
- Beginning at the top of the spine, draw two slightly curved lines on either side, following the natural shape of a fish tail. These lines should gradually widen as they approach the first horizontal guideline.
- At the first horizontal guideline, curve the lines outward to create the flare of the fins. Continue to draw these lines downward, following the contour of the second horizontal guideline.
- Finally, bring the lines back together to form the tip of the fins at the bottom of the tail. Your mermaid tail should now have a basic shape that resembles a long, graceful fish tail.
Remember, it’s okay if your lines aren’t perfect at this stage. You’ll have a chance to refine them later as you add details and shading.
Adding Fins and Details
Now that you have the basic shape of your mermaid tail, it’s time to add fins and other details to make it more realistic and interesting. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Fins: Add smaller fins along the sides of the tail for a more dynamic look. You can experiment with different shapes and sizes to see what looks best with your overall design.
- Lines and contours: To give your mermaid tail a more three-dimensional appearance, add some curved lines along the length of the tail to suggest the underlying muscle structure. This will help create a sense of depth and movement in your drawing.
- Decorative elements: Feel free to get creative and add any additional details that you think would enhance your mermaid tail. This could include things like jewelry, seashells, or even seaweed wrapped around the tail for a more whimsical touch.
As you add these details, keep in mind that less is often more. You don’t want to overwhelm your mermaid tail with too many elements, so focus on creating a balanced and visually pleasing design.
Incorporating Texture and Pattern in Your Mermaid Tail Drawing
With the basic shape and details in place, it’s time to bring your mermaid tail to life by adding texture and pattern. This is where you can really let your creativity shine and make your drawing stand out. In this section, we’ll explore various techniques to help you draw a mermaid tail that’s both visually appealing and rich in detail.
Designing the Scales
Scales are a key feature of any mermaid tail, and their design can greatly impact the overall look of your drawing. Here are some tips for creating visually appealing scales:
- Variety: Instead of drawing uniform scales, try experimenting with different shapes and sizes to give your mermaid tail a more organic and interesting look.
- Spacing: Pay attention to the spacing between the scales. Too close together, and your tail may look cluttered; too far apart, and it could appear sparse. Aim for a balanced arrangement that complements your overall design.
- Overlap: To create a more realistic appearance, make sure your scales overlap slightly. This will give the impression of depth and layering, making your mermaid tail look more three-dimensional.
Remember, when designing the scales, always keep in mind the overall shape and flow of your mermaid tail. This will help you maintain a cohesive and harmonious design.
Shading Techniques for Scales
Proper shading can make a world of difference when it comes to making your mermaid tail look realistic and visually striking. Here are some shading techniques to help you enhance the appearance of your scales:
- Light source: Determine where your light source is coming from and consistently shade your scales accordingly. This will create a sense of depth and dimension in your drawing.
- Gradation: Use a gradual transition from light to dark when shading your scales. This will give them a more rounded and three-dimensional appearance.
- Contrast: Play with the contrast between light and dark areas to create more visual interest and make your mermaid tail pop.
As you practice shading, you’ll find that it becomes easier to achieve the desired effects and create a more realistic look in your mermaid tail drawing.
Adding Highlights for a Realistic Look
Now that your scales are shaded, it’s time to add some highlights to really make them stand out. Highlights can give your mermaid tail a more luminous and lifelike appearance. Here’s how to add them effectively:
- Placement: Add highlights to the areas of your scales that would naturally catch the light, based on your chosen light source. This will help create a more convincing sense of depth and dimension.
- Intensity: Be mindful of the intensity of your highlights. Too bright, and they may look unnatural; too subtle, and they might not have the desired impact. Aim for a balanced level of intensity that complements your shading.
- Variety: Experiment with different types of highlights, such as sharp, crisp lines or softer, diffused areas. This can add visual interest and give your mermaid tail a more dynamic appearance.
With these techniques, you’ll be well on your way to creating a stunning, realistic mermaid tail that captures the eye and the imagination.
Description
Who isn’t fascinated by mermaids, be it Ariel or any other sea princess? This cute drawing tutorial teaches kids (and adults alike) how to draw a mermaid from the head to tail, with super easy step by step instructions for kids to follow!
Click preview to see the whole mermaid directed drawing tutorial.
There are two versions included – one where the directions are printed across the whole sheet of paper and another version where the directions take half the sheet of paper, and your students can draw their very own mermaid on the same sheet of paper.
This mermaid directed drawing tutorial is especially handy for kids that feel they aren’t creative and just need a little push to see that they can do it too!
