How to Draw a Shark: A Step by Step Guide for Beginners

This section shows an easy side view of a common shark. We use simple shapes and clear steps. Work slowly and keep your lines light at first. You will learn the body, head, fins, gills, mouth, and tail. After the basic shape is right, you will add details and shading.

1. Draw the body guide: Make a long horizontal oval for the main body. This will be your base. Add a small circle at the front for the head. Keep your pencil light so you can erase easily.

2. Shape the snout: From the circle, draw a smooth point for the nose. Avoid sharp angles to make it look natural.

3. Add the tail: At the back of the oval, draw two curved triangles for the tail fins. One side can be slightly larger to show movement.

4. Place the dorsal fin: Draw a tall triangle on top of the body, a little past the middle. Keep the base wider than the tip.

5. Draw the pectoral fins: Add two curved, leaf-like fins near the head, one on each side of the body.

6. Add small fins: Draw the pelvic and anal fins near the tail. These should be small and simple to balance the design.

7. Draw the gills: Add five short curved lines behind the head, spaced evenly.

8. Make the mouth: Draw a curved line under the snout. If you want a fierce look, add small pointed teeth.

9. Place the eye: Draw a small circle above the mouth. Add a dot inside for the pupil to give it life.

10. Smooth the outlines: Join the head and body with gentle curves. Refine the shark’s shape so it looks sleek.

11. Erase guides: Carefully remove the extra shapes you used for planning. Keep the outline clean.

12. Add skin lines: Draw a faint lateral line from the head to the tail. Add short lines for texture.

13. Shade the body: The belly is lighter, so shade the top more heavily. Use small strokes for a smooth effect.

14. Final details: Add bubbles or small fish to make the scene more interesting.

15. Ink or darken. If desired, trace over your lines with a pen or darker pencil. Let ink dry before erasing.

16. Color the shark: Use gray for the top, white for the belly, and add water colors if you want.

The hammerhead looks very different. The head is wide and shaped like a bar. The eyes sit at each end. This makes the head the main focus. In this guide we draw a simple side and front feel of a hammerhead. Use light shapes first.

1. Draw a short oval for the body: Then draw a long horizontal bar for the head. This will look like a wide T-shape.

2. Mark the eye spots: At each end of the bar, draw a small circle for the eye area. Slightly angle them outward.

3. Shape the front of the head: Smooth the edges of the bar and connect them to the snout. Leave space for the mouth below.

4. Add the tail and dorsal fin: Draw a forked tail and a tall dorsal fin similar to a common shark.

5. Draw the pectoral fins: Add two large curved fins near the head. These should look strong and flat.

6. Add gill slits: Draw short curved lines behind the head on the body side.

7. Draw the mouth and teeth: The mouth sits under the head bar. Use a curve and add small teeth if desired.

8. Smooth the body lines: Make the curves flow naturally from head to tail.

9. Clean the sketch: Erase any extra guidelines and keep the head and body shapes clear.

10. Shade and finish: Darken the top, keep the belly lighter, and add shadows under the head bar.