How to Draw a Submarine: Easy 10-Step Guide for Kids

Ready to dive into an underwater art adventure? This tutorial is perfect for young artists ages 5 and up. Grab a pencil, an eraser, and some paper to build your own submarine, step-by-step.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A colorful, finished cartoon submarine illustration set against a simple background.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Hull

Pencil sketch of a submarine hull showing an irregular oval shape and a small rudder fin at the back.

Draw a long, irregular oval to create the main body of the submarine. Add a small curved line at the back to start the rudder. Teacher's Tip: Keep this shape loose and rounded—it doesn't need to be perfect!

Step 2: Adding the Rudder

Submarine drawing showing added curved bands on the hull and a U-shaped rudder on the bottom.

Add curved bands to the front and back of the hull for detail. Use a 'U' shape on the bottom to finish the rudder. Tip: Leave a small gap between the back bands and the hull to create a sense of depth.

Step 3: Creating the Conning Tower

Drawing of a submarine conning tower and sail plane positioned on top of the hull.

Draw a narrow horizontal oval above the hull for the sail plane. Behind it, draw a curved line that doubles back to form the conning tower. Tip: Imagine this is the 'bridge' where the captain stands.

Step 4: Adding Rivets

Submarine drawing with added sail plane detail and small circles representing rivets along the hull.

Add a 'U' shape on the other side of the tower to complete the sail plane. Draw small circles along the hull to represent rivets. Tip: Space your rivets evenly to make the submarine look like it's made of sturdy metal plates.

Step 5: Drawing the First Porthole

Submarine drawing showing the addition of a double-lined circular porthole on the side of the hull.

Add more rivets along the top. Then, draw a circle within a circle on the side of the hull to create your first porthole. Tip: Use a circular object like a coin if you need help getting a perfect circle!

Step 6: Adding More Windows

Submarine drawing showing a series of circular portholes aligned along the side of the hull.

Continue adding portholes down the side of the hull. Tip: Keep them in a straight line to make your submarine look professional and balanced.

Step 7: The Propeller

Submarine drawing showing the propeller assembly with fan-like blades at the rear.

Draw a partial circle between the rudders at the back. Add curved lines that double back to create the fan-like propeller blades. Tip: Make the blades look like they are spinning by keeping the curves smooth.

Step 8: The Periscope

Submarine drawing showing the addition of a periscope extending from the top of the conning tower.

Draw an oval above the tower and connect it with two parallel lines. This is the periscope! Tip: This is how the crew sees what's happening above the water's surface.

Step 9: Refining the Periscope

Submarine drawing showing the finished periscope with added window detail and arm contours.

Add a small circle inside the periscope's window and two curved lines on the arm for detail. Tip: Small details like these make your drawing look much more realistic.

Step 10: Adding Color

A fully colored, vibrant cartoon submarine drawing.

Bring your submarine to life with color! Traditional subs are grey or black, but feel free to use bright yellow or any color you like. Tip: Use a darker shade for the rivets to make them pop against the hull.