Learn How to Draw a Catfish in Just 9 Steps

What You Need

Before you begin drawing a catfish, you need the right materials. The most important is a drawing paper. It's best to use a thicker paper, because it will hold the heavier lines of a catfish's body. You also need a variety of drawing pencils and erasers. A sharpener is also helpful to keep your pencils in tip-top shape.

Get Started

Once you have the materials, you can begin drawing. Start by lightly sketching a circle on the paper. This will be the body of the catfish. Don't worry about making it perfect, as you can always adjust it later. Next, draw two curved lines, one on either side, to create the fins.

Shape the Body

Now it's time to refine the body. First, draw two curved lines at the top of the circle, creating the catfish's head. Then draw two curved lines at the bottom of the circle, creating the tail. Use a ruler to draw a straight line connecting the two fins on either side. This will help define the shape of the catfish.

Add the Details

From here, you can start adding the details. Draw the eyes at the top of the head and a small line inside the head to create the mouth. Draw a few vertical lines along the body to create the scales. Finally, draw a few small curved lines at the end of the tail to create the barbels.

Finish the Drawing

Once you're happy with the details, it's time to finish the drawing. Start by erasing any unnecessary lines. Then use a darker pencil to darken the lines of the body, fins, and barbels. Finally, use a kneaded eraser to lighten any areas that need to be highlighted.

Add Color

For a more vibrant drawing, you can add color. Start by coloring the catfish's body a light gray. Then use darker shades of gray to color the fins, barbels, and scales. Finally, use a white pencil to add highlights to the body, fins, and barbels.

Create a Background

To create a more realistic drawing, you can add a background. Start by lightly sketching a few rocks or plants in the background. Then use darker pencils to add shadows and highlights to the background. Finally, use a soft eraser to blend everything together.

Add Shadows and Highlights

The last step is to add shadows and highlights. For the catfish, use a darker pencil to add shadows to the body, fins, and barbels. Then use a white pencil to add highlights. For the background, use a darker pencil to add shadows and a white pencil to add highlights.

Final Touches

When you're done, you can add a few final touches. First, use a kneaded eraser to lighten any areas that need to be highlighted. Then use a white pencil to add small details, like bubbles or light reflections. Finally, you can use a black pen to add any details that need to be defined.

You're Done!

Congratulations! You've just learned how to draw a catfish in just 9 steps. Now you can practice your new skill and create your own beautiful drawings. Have fun!