How to Draw a Zombie Shark: Easy 10-Step Cartoon Guide

Ready to create a creature from the deep? This tutorial is perfect for young artists ages 7+ who love spooky, imaginative themes. You will need a pencil, an eraser, and a black fine-liner to bring your undead shark to life while practicing symmetry and jagged line work.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

Colorful, finished illustration of a cartoon zombie shark.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Head Shape

Pencil sketch showing a rounded triangle head shape and a hook on top for the zombie shark.

Near the top of your page, draw a large triangle with a rounded point. Add a hook shape on top, then a broad S-curve. Teacher's Tip: Keep your pencil pressure light so you can easily adjust the proportions if the head looks too big or small.

Step 2: Defining the Open Mouth

Drawing the shark's open mouth with triangular teeth and guiding lines above.

Draw an oblong oval that is open on the left side. Add two triangles pointing outward for teeth, and sketch curved lines above the mouth. Teacher's Tip: Use short, quick strokes to make the teeth look sharp and menacing.

Step 3: Adding Upper Teeth and Tongue

Detailing the upper jaw with additional teeth and a central tongue oval.

Add more triangles with rounded bottoms for the upper teeth. Sketch an oval inside for the tongue. Teacher's Tip: Vary the size of the teeth slightly to give the shark a more realistic, chaotic look.

Step 4: Lower Jaw Details

Adding the bottom row of teeth to complete the shark's jawline.

Draw a second row of triangular teeth and a straight line underneath the mouth. Teacher's Tip: Ensure the teeth overlap slightly to make the jaw look crowded and scary.

Step 5: Shaping the Head

Sketching the top of the shark's head with jagged, uneven lines to show decay.

Draw a large curved line for the top of the head, using 'swooping' lines to create a chunked-out appearance. Add a loose L-shape under the mouth. Teacher's Tip: The 'chunked-out' look is what makes it a zombie—don't make the lines too smooth!

Step 6: Drawing the Fins

Adding jagged, tattered fins to the top and side of the zombie shark.

Draw the top fin using a curved line followed by an uneven, jagged line. Repeat this for the side fin. Teacher's Tip: Use a 'zigzag' motion with your pencil to create the tattered look of the fins.

Step 7: Body and Tail Base

Outlining the shark's body and the start of the tail structure.

Create a tube shape for the body with a circle at the end. Add two small bean shapes and an S-curve for the tail base. Teacher's Tip: Keep your lines loose; the 'zombie' aesthetic thrives on imperfection.

Step 8: Refining the Tail

Adding detail to the shark's tail and side fins.

Draw a curved line for the left fin and an uneven line with a triangle in the center. Create the tail using an oval with a cutout and a petal shape. Teacher's Tip: Use your eraser to clean up any overlapping lines inside the tail area.

Step 9: Final Outlining

Final line art of the zombie shark with gills and brain details added.

Add 'noodle' shapes for gills and curves for the brain. Trace your final lines with a black marker and erase your pencil guidelines. Teacher's Tip: Use a steady hand for the final outline to make your drawing pop.

Step 10: Adding Color

Fully colored zombie shark drawing with grey body, red mouth, and yellow teeth.

Use bluish-grey for the body, pale yellow for teeth, and pink/red for the mouth and brain. Teacher's Tip: Use a darker grey to shade the edges of the fins to give your shark more depth and a 3D effect.