How to Draw an Angler Fish: Easy 10-Step Guide for Kids

Ready to explore the mysterious deep sea? This tutorial is perfect for young artists ages 6+ who want to draw their own spooky angler fish. All you need is a pencil, an eraser, and some paper to bring this bioluminescent creature to life.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A vibrant, finished illustration of an angler fish, showcasing its lure and sharp teeth.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sketching the Back

A simple curved line representing the arched back of an angler fish on a white background.

Start by drawing a long, horizontal curved line to form the fish's back. Teacher's Tip: Keep your pencil pressure light so you can easily adjust the shape later if you need to.

Forming the Belly and Jaw

Two overlapping curved lines forming the bottom section of the angler fish body.

Draw two overlapping curved lines beneath your first line to create the belly and the lower jaw. Tip: Think of this as creating a wide, rounded 'U' shape for the mouth area.

Adding the Tail Fin

The outline of the angler fish body connected to an M-shaped tail fin.

Connect the back and belly lines with a short curve, then draw a loose 'M' shape at the end for the tail. Tip: Don't worry about making the tail perfectly symmetrical; nature is full of unique shapes!

Defining the Wide Mouth

The angler fish outline now featuring a large, open mouth structure.

Use two curved lines to sketch the wide-open mouth. Let the lower line double back slightly to give the jaw a realistic, sturdy look. Tip: Make the mouth look big—angler fish are famous for their giant chompers!

Drawing Sharp Teeth

A series of sharp, pointed teeth drawn inside the angler fish's open mouth.

Add long, sharp teeth by drawing two curved lines that meet at a point. Tip: Vary the length of the teeth, making them longer toward the front of the mouth for a more dramatic effect.

Adding the Bioluminescent Lure

The angler fish now includes a long dorsal appendage with a glowing lure at the end.

Draw the 'lure' by extending two parallel lines from the head, ending in a small oval. Tip: This is the angler fish's special light! Draw a small circle inside the oval to represent the glowing tip.

Adding the Eye and Pectoral Fin

The angler fish now has a detailed eye and a side pectoral fin.

Draw a circle for the eye with a smaller pupil inside, and add a pectoral fin on the side. Tip: Use parenthesis-like curves around the eye to give your fish a grumpy, deep-sea expression.

Drawing the Dorsal Fin

The angler fish now features a dorsal fin on its back.

Add the dorsal fin on the back using irregular, wavy shapes. Tip: Keep the lines loose and flowing to make the fin look like it's moving through water.

Finalizing the Outline

The completed line art of the angler fish with all fins and details added.

Add the ventral fin and refine the tail details. Tip: Go over your main lines with a darker pencil or marker to make your drawing pop!

Coloring Your Creation

A fully colored and shaded angler fish drawing.

Time to color! Use dark reds, browns, or blacks for a deep-sea look, or get creative with bright colors for a shallow-water species. Tip: Use a light yellow or white for the lure to make it look like it's glowing in the dark.