How to Draw Ariel: Easy Step-by-Step Guide for Kids

Bring your favorite underwater princess to life with this simple, 10-step drawing guide designed for ages 5 and up. All you need is a pencil, an eraser, and a piece of paper to master this iconic character. Follow along to build confidence in your sketching skills while creating a magical scene.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A vibrant, finished drawing of Ariel and Flounder, perfect for kids to reference.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Facial Features

Close-up sketch of Ariel's eyes, nose, and smiling mouth on white paper.

Start by drawing the eyes, nose, and a gentle smiling mouth. Teacher's Tip: Keep your pencil lines light and soft; if you make a mistake, it’s much easier to erase without leaving marks on your paper.

Step 2: Defining the Face and Hair

Pencil outline showing Ariel's face shape, ear, and the start of her hair.

Use long, sweeping curved lines to outline the face and the flow of her hair. Add smaller curves for the ear and neck. Tip: Think of the hair as large, flowing ribbons rather than individual strands.

Step 3: Adding Arms and Seashell Top

Sketching Ariel's upper body, including arms, shoulders, and seashell bikini top.

Sketch the shoulders and arms using smooth curves, then add two oval shapes for the seashell top. Tip: Keep the seashell ovals symmetrical to give her a balanced look.

Step 4: Detailing the Torso and Tail

Drawing the torso and the beginning of the mermaid tail with belly button detail.

Add lines to the seashells for texture, then draw the torso and the start of the tail. Don't forget a small dot for the belly button! Tip: Use a fluid, continuous motion for the tail line to make it look graceful.

Step 5: Forming the Tail and Flipper

Completing the mermaid tail and adding the fan-shaped flipper.

Complete the tail by drawing the opposite side, then add the flipper at the end. Tip: Make the flipper look like a fan by using two curved points that meet at the center.

Step 6: Adding Hair and Rocks

Adding flowing hair details and rocks at the base of the drawing.

Finish the hair with jagged, flowing lines, and sketch large rocks underneath her. Tip: Vary the size of the rocks to make the underwater scene look more natural.

Step 7: Adding Seaweed

Adding wavy seaweed details around the rocks.

Draw seaweed on both sides of the rocks using long, wavy lines that taper to a point. Tip: Imagine the seaweed is swaying in the ocean current!

Step 8: Drawing Flounder

Sketching Flounder the fish next to Ariel with expressive facial features.

Add texture to Ariel's hair, then start drawing her friend, Flounder. Focus on his expressive eyes and heart-shaped body. Tip: Keep Flounder small so he doesn't take focus away from Ariel.

Step 9: Finishing Touches

Adding fins, stripes to Flounder, and bubbles to complete the drawing.

Add Flounder's fins, stripes, and a few bubbles floating around them. Tip: Draw bubbles in different sizes to create depth in your underwater scene.

Step 10: Bring Your Drawing to Life with Color

Fully colored drawing of Ariel and Flounder in an underwater setting.

Time to color! Use bright red for Ariel's hair and a vibrant green for her tail. Color Flounder yellow with blue stripes. Tip: Use light pressure with your colored pencils to create smooth, even layers.