How to Draw a Cartoon Fish: Easy 9-Step Guide for Kids

This step-by-step tutorial is perfect for young artists ages 5 and up. All you need is a pencil, an eraser, and a piece of paper to bring your underwater friend to life. Follow along to build confidence in your drawing skills while creating a vibrant, happy fish.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A friendly, colorful cartoon fish swimming, representing the completed drawing tutorial.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Drawing the Eye

Close-up pencil sketch of a cartoon fish eye with a dark pupil and layered eyelid lines.

Start by drawing the eye using three overlapping curved lines. Inside, add three smaller ovals, shading the center one to create a pupil. Teacher's Tip: Keep the eye near the front of the head to give your fish a friendly, curious expression.

Step 2: Sketching the Mouth

Pencil outline showing the fish's mouth area with rounded lips and a small corner detail.

Use curved lines to form the teardrop-shaped lips. Add a small rectangle at the corner of the mouth to show a smile. Teacher's Tip: Use short, soft strokes to make the lips look rounded and natural.

Step 3: Defining the Belly

Pencil sketch showing the bottom curved line forming the belly of the fish.

Extend a long, smooth curved line from the bottom of the mouth to create the fish's belly. Teacher's Tip: Try to draw this in one continuous motion to keep the line looking fluid and graceful.

Step 4: Shaping the Back and Gills

Pencil sketch showing the top arch of the fish's back and a small gill slit detail.

Draw a curved line from the top of the mouth to form the back, then add a small curved line behind the eye for the gills. Teacher's Tip: The gill line should be slightly shorter than the eye to keep the proportions balanced.

Step 5: Adding Fins

Pencil sketch adding a fan-shaped tail and side pectoral fin with texture lines.

Draw the fan-shaped tail and a pectoral fin on the side using curved lines. Add small lines inside the fins for texture. Teacher's Tip: Fan shapes are easier to draw if you imagine you are drawing a slice of pie.

Step 6: Adding Bottom Fins

Pencil sketch adding a bottom fin with detailed texture lines.

Enclose another fin along the bottom of the body. Add curved texture lines to match the tail. Teacher's Tip: Keep these lines light so they don't overpower the main body shape.

Step 7: The Caudal Fin

Pencil sketch showing the addition of the caudal fin with textured lines.

Add the caudal fin to the bottom section and texture it with curved lines. Teacher's Tip: Ensure the fin connects smoothly to the belly line you drew in Step 3.

Step 8: The Dorsal Fin

Pencil sketch showing the dorsal fin added to the top of the fish's back.

Draw the dorsal fin on the top of the fish's back. Add texture lines to keep it consistent with the other fins. Teacher's Tip: A larger dorsal fin makes the fish look more active and energetic!

Step 9: Final Details and Color

Completed pencil drawing of a cartoon fish with scale patterns added.

Add 'U' shaped scales across the body. Once finished, color your fish! We used orange and red, but feel free to use any colors you like. Teacher's Tip: Use a darker shade of your main color to add depth to the scales.

Coloring Your Masterpiece

A fully colored, vibrant cartoon fish with orange and red scales.

Now that your outline is complete, bring your fish to life with vibrant colors. Want to try more? Check out our guides on drawing a goldfish or a rainbow trout.