How to Draw a Cartoon Dolphin
This lesson will be devoted to showing you how to draw a cartoon dolphin, and we will try to make it as simple as possible.
For maximum simplicity and a clear cartoon look, we chose the same style that we used in our cartoon dog drawing lesson and in our very easy cartoon cat drawing guide.
When drawing animals in this style, it is important to remember the main principle – simplifying forms and details to a minimum while preserving the largest and most recognizable shapes.
In the case of a dolphin, these are the elongated body, the extended snout, and the characteristic shapes of the fins, eyes, and mouth.
All of this will be reproduced in a very simplified manner to give the dolphin a distinctly cartoon appearance.
How to draw a cartoon dolphin step by step
Step 1: Sketch the elongated body shape
One of the most distinctive features of a dolphin is its elongated body shape, so begin with this main form. Draw a long, stretched oval that curves slightly, as if the cartoon dolphin is leaping out of the water. If you prefer to show the dolphin in a different pose, adjust the body outline accordingly from the start.
Step 2: Draw the cartoon dolphin tail fins
In the lower part of the shape sketched in the previous step, add the fins, which resemble two smooth triangles. Even in a cartoon style, the rules of linear perspective still apply. The tail fin closer to the viewer should appear slightly larger than the one positioned farther away. When drawing symmetrical parts, make sure they match in shape.
Step 3: Sketch the snout and smile
Another key feature of a dolphin is its characteristic snout, which often appears to be smiling. Since we are drawing a cartoon dolphin, give it a clearly anthropomorphic smile. First, draw the outline of the upper jaw and nose with a long, smooth line, then continue with the lower jaw. This will form the smiling expression.
Step 4: Draw the tail of the cartoon dolphin
To enhance the cartoon effect, add elements that distinguish the character from a real animal. For example, draw a rounded cheek just above the corner of the cartoon mouth. Then add a line that visually separates the upper part of the dolphin’s body from the lower part. In reality, this division is not so clearly visible.
Step 5: Sketch the eye and eyebrow
A cartoon look is often achieved through anthropomorphic facial features. Above the cheek, draw an oval eye with a pupil looking upward and slightly to the side. Add an eyebrow above the eye with a few short strokes. In the center of the forehead, draw a small indentation to represent the shape of the dolphin’s head.
Step 6: Draw the dorsal and pectoral fins
On the upper part of the back, draw the dorsal fin as a smooth, curved triangle. Slightly lower, in the chest area, add the pectoral fins, similar in shape to the dorsal fin. The fin closer to the viewer should be fully visible, while the second one is partially hidden behind the dolphin’s body.
Step 7: Paint the eye and clean up the sketch
Review your cartoon dolphin drawing to ensure everything is placed correctly and the details relate properly to one another. If everything looks right, erase all construction lines. Then carefully fill in the eye with black, leaving a small white highlight inside. Color the eyebrow black as well to give the face a clearly cartoon-like expression. Finally, draw the horizontal dividing line between the upper and lower parts of the body, continuing the line you added earlier.
In this lesson, we clearly and in detail demonstrated, using the example of a dolphin, how to simplify and stylize details while still preserving recognizability.
This method can be applied to a wide range of animals and other living creatures. For example, the same principles were used in our cartoon frog drawing lesson and in our simple cartoon horse drawing guide.
As mentioned earlier, this is one of the most important principles in professional cartoon character design.
This skill is especially valuable for anyone who plans to connect their future work with creating animated characters or game heroes and villains.
By mastering simplification and learning to identify key defining features, you can depict virtually any living creature, whether an animal or a human.
It is important to practice this skill regularly – try repeating different living forms in a simplified manner from various angles and using different stylistic variations.
We discuss this in more detail in our cartoons category, where we also share how professional artists from different studios draw well-known animated characters.
