Have you ever wanted to draw a mermaid? This guide will show you how to draw a graceful mermaid with a shimmering tail and beautiful hair. It’s time to bring your very own ocean friend to life on paper! Let’s get started on our under-the-sea drawing adventure.
I have also designed a free printable PDF worksheet just for you! It has a step-by-step guide with easy-to-follow directions and space for kids to practice their mermaid drawing skills.
So, grab a pencil, and let’s start drawing your mermaid!
Easy 6-Step Mermaid Drawing + Free PDF Practice Worksheet
Follow these six easy steps to draw a cute cartoon mermaid.
Drawing Materials
- Paper
- Pencil
- Eraser
- Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
- Our Mermaid Drawing Guide PDF Worksheet (optional)
Start by drawing lightly so that you can easily erase if you make any mistakes.
Step 1: Draw the Mermaid’s Head Outline
Start by drawing a simple, rounded oval shape for the mermaid’s head.
Step 2: Draw the Body and Tail
From the bottom of the head, draw a curved line for the neck. Then, draw a long, curvy body shape that narrows down to a point for the mermaid’s waist and the start of her tail.
Step 3: Draw the Top and Arms
On the upper part of the body, draw a curved, wavy line to form the top. Add two simple, curved lines for the arms extending from the sides of the body.
Erase any part of the body outline where the arms attach to make it look connected.
Step 4: Draw The Mermaid’s Fin and Scales
From the pointed end of the tail, draw a wide, fan-like shape for the tail fin, and add some curved lines inside for a realistic look. Then, add a crisscross pattern of lines on the main part of the tail to create the scales.
Step 5: Add the Mermaid’s Hair and Face Details
Let’s give our mermaid a friendly face and hair!
- Draw a flowing, wavy hairstyle by sketching long, gentle curves that flow down the sides of the face and behind the mermaid’s body.
- Add a tiny bow on top of her head by drawing a small shape with a knot in the middle and two loops on either side.
- Add two round dots for the eyes and two curved lines above them for the eyebrows.
- Draw a small dot for the nose, then add a small, curved line for the mouth.
Step 6: Color Your Magical Mermaid!
Now, it’s time to color! A mermaid’s tail can be green, blue, or even a sparkly rainbow! You can make her hair a bright and fun color like pink or purple.
Free Mermaid Drawing Practice PDF Worksheet!
Ready to master your mermaid drawing skills? Grab your pencils and download our free printable worksheet! It has a step-by-step guide and a space for you to practice your mermaid drawing. It’s the perfect way to create your own underwater masterpiece!
Click below to get your printable worksheet and have fun drawing!
Terms of Use: You can print as many copies as you need for your kids, students, or groups. To share, please link to this page. Please don’t sell, email, post, or share these files in any other way. Thank you!
mermaid drawing worksheet pdfCheck out our 44 Mermaid Coloring Pages
If you’ve had fun drawing, you’ll love our collection of free printable mermaid coloring pages! Visit our page to find a variety of beautiful mermaid drawings ready to be colored with your favorite crayons, markers, or paints. It’s a great way to unleash your kids’ creativity and make these mythical creatures uniquely their own!
👉 Grab Our Mermaid Coloring Pages
5 Ways to Make Your Mermaid Drawing More Fun!
Add Some Sea Friends: Draw some fish, a turtle, or even a friendly dolphin swimming next to your mermaid.
Give Her a Treasure Chest: What treasures would a mermaid find? Draw a treasure chest filled with gold coins and jewels!
Add a Castle: Draw a beautiful castle at the bottom of the ocean for your mermaid to live in.
Add Some Bubbles: Draw some small circles floating around your mermaid to show she is underwater.
Give Her a Crown: Draw a sparkly crown on your mermaid’s head to make her a sea princess!
How to Fix Common Mermaid Drawing Mistakes
- Proportions are Off: If your mermaid’s head or body seems too big or too small, go back to Step 1 and 2 and try a very light sketch of a full body shape first.
- The Fin is Too Small: The tail fin is a big part of the mermaid’s look. Make sure to draw it wide and grand so she can swim gracefully, as shown in Step 4.
- Missing Details: It’s easy to forget the little things! Don’t skip the crisscross pattern for the scales on her tail, as this really brings the drawing to life, as shown in Step 4.
- Hair is Flat: Mermaid hair should look like it’s flowing in the water. Remember to use long, wavy lines and avoid drawing it too straight, as shown in Step 5.
Helpful Mermaid Drawing Tips and Tricks For Kids
- Think About the Pose: This mermaid is standing, but you can draw your own mermaid swimming! Try tilting her body sideways and having her hair and tail flow behind her.
- Practice Your Shapes: This drawing uses many rounded and curvy shapes. Practice drawing ovals and gentle curves to make your drawing look clean and smooth.
- Use an Eraser! Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. A good artist uses their eraser just as much as their pencil.
- Add Personality: You can change her expression, give her different hair, or add some accessories like a necklace or bracelets to make your mermaid unique.
- Experiment with Colors: Don’t feel like you have to follow a standard color scheme. Try using unexpected colors to make your mermaid stand out!
Mermaid Fun Facts for Kids
- Mythical Creatures: Mermaids are legendary creatures that have been a part of myths and folklore for thousands of years.
- Half and Half: A mermaid is a mythical creature with the top half of a human and the bottom half of a fish.
- Different Cultures: Mermaids have appeared in stories from cultures all over the world, including Europe, Asia, and Africa.
- Mer-people: Male versions of mermaids are called mermen!
- Guardians of the Sea: In some stories, mermaids are said to be the protectors of the sea and the creatures that live in it.
More Fun Drawing Guides:
Grab our How to Draw a Dragon for Kids
Explore our How to Draw a Butterfly for Kids
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Check out our How to Draw a Puppy Dog for Kids
Discover our How to Draw a Bird for Kids
Don’t miss our How to Draw a Frog for Kids
Looking for more fun animal drawings? Check out our How to Draw Animals Tutorials for more easy step-by-step guides to drawing animals.
