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

Bring the ocean to life with this simple whale drawing tutorial, designed specifically for ages 5 and up. You will only need a pencil, an eraser, and a piece of paper to master this marine mammal. Follow along to develop your spatial awareness and confidence in sketching organic shapes.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A friendly, colorful whale illustration, perfect for kids' art projects.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Mouth and Eye

Pencil sketch showing a curved line for a whale's mouth and a circular eye with a shaded pupil.

Draw a long, gentle curve to form the whale's mouth. Add a small dot for the corner of the mouth, then draw a partial circle above it for the eye. Teacher's Tip: Keep your pencil lines light so you can easily erase any mistakes later!

Step 2: Defining the Belly

Drawing the bottom curve of a whale's body extending from the mouth area.

Extend a long, smooth curved line downward from the mouth to begin the whale's belly. Teacher's Tip: Try to make this line look like a soft 'U' shape to give your whale a friendly, rounded appearance.

Step 3: Drawing the Tail Flukes

Adding the wide, triangular tail flukes to the back of the whale's body.

At the end of the belly line, draw two triangular shapes to create the tail flukes. Teacher's Tip: Think of these as two wide, flat triangles pointing outward; keep the edges slightly rounded for a natural look.

Step 4: Closing the Back

Connecting the head to the tail with a long, arched line forming the whale's back.

Draw a long, sweeping curve from the top of the mouth back to the tail to enclose the whale's body. Teacher's Tip: Imagine you are drawing a large, gentle hill—this creates the whale's back.

Step 5: Adding the Flipper

Drawing a leaf-shaped pectoral fin on the side of the whale's body.

Sketch a large, leaf-shaped flipper on the side of the body. Add small, short lines along the edge for texture. Teacher's Tip: Don't worry if it's not perfect; real whale fins have natural bumps and curves.

Step 6: The Second Flipper

Adding a second, smaller fin partially hidden behind the whale's belly.

Draw a smaller, partial fin behind the first one to show depth. Teacher's Tip: By drawing only part of the second fin, you create the illusion that the whale is turning in the water.

Step 7: Detailing the Belly

Adding horizontal lines to the whale's belly to show texture and detail.

Add long, curved lines along the chin and belly area. Teacher's Tip: These lines represent the pleats found on many whales, which help them expand their mouths while feeding.

Step 8: Refining the Underside

Adding additional contour lines to the whale's belly for more detail.

Continue adding a few more curved lines along the underside to add dimension. Teacher's Tip: Keep the lines parallel to the belly curve for a clean, professional look.

Step 9: Adding the Water Spout

Drawing a water spout erupting from the top of the whale's head.

Draw a teardrop-shaped spray of water coming from the top of the head. Teacher's Tip: Use quick, flicking motions with your pencil to make the water look like it is splashing upward.

Step 10: Bringing Your Whale to Life with Color

A fully colored, friendly cartoon whale in shades of blue and gray.

Now it's time to color! Use shades of blue or gray for the body and leave the belly a lighter shade. Teacher's Tip: Use a darker blue for the shadows under the fins to make your drawing pop!