| Uploaded: | March 4, 2012 |
| Artist: | Dawn |
| Difficulty: | Intermediate  |
| Steps: | 10 |
| Updated: | March 4, 2012 |
| P.O.V: | 3/4 |
| Favorited: |
How to Draw a Mermaid, Fantasy Mermaid
You know I couldn't stop drawing in the new style I have been without making a lesson on "how to draw a mermaid", step by step. I started this sketch in Livestream on Friday, and finished it off Saturday afternoon. At first the coloring was coming along great, but then I suddenly was stumped on how to color in her tail in a way that it come out looking natural. After playing with some color concepts and mixing, I came to the conclusion that using one color for her entire lower body would probably be best in this type of situation. Out of all four drawing of the females that I submitted over this week, this mermaid is at the top of my list of being my favorite of all time. It is definitely the best mermaid drawing and or lesson I have ever done, and I think most of you will agree with that statement. Sometimes it blows my mind when I view some of my old tutorials from when Dragoart first started because the change in how much I improved as an artist over time is real significant. I also want to point out that unlike most people that visit Dragoart, I literally draw all day. When I say all day, I mean from the time I get up, till the time I go to bed. Of course I eat, and run errands, but I would say I spend at least fourteen hours a day drawing, sometimes I will go sixteen hours. I mean, it's worth it to me because I love doing what I do, I always have and I always will. I don't just draw for myself, I also love drawing for other people as well. Anyways, this mermaid is going to be really fun to tackle because she is as cute as can be as well as comic book like. I tried keeping the same style with the face, hair and body even though she is part fish. I guess that is all I have to say for now, I will be back with some more drawing fun so stay tuned in if you can to see what I upload next. Peace out people and enjoy!
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STEP 1.
We will begin this first step on drawing a mermaid by sketching out the basic guides and shapes for a workable frame. This will help you create your mermaid a whole lot better. Begin by drawing a circle for the head, sketch in the facial guides, and then draw the body like for her torso. Next, draw another shape for the mermaid's bottom as well as the line of motion for her tail.
STEP 2.
Here is a close up of how to draw in your mermaids face. Start on the left side and begin sketching out the forehead, cheek, chin and jaw line. Next, use the facial guidelines to draw in her big open eyes as well as her thick lashes like so. You will also need to draw in her nose and then for the next part of the face, sketch in the eyebrows, eyeballs, and then draw her lips in the form of a smile.
STEP 3.
Okay guys here is one of my favorite parts to this drawing. We will now tackle getting her hair drawn out. Start at the top and make swift lines in a downward spiral using a wavy stroke. If you want your mermaid to have straight hair or a different style, that is always fine too. Once you get her length and style drawn in, you can start sketching the detailing and definition. For me I wanted this mermaid to have a playful look like Ariel, so that explains the hair falling in front of her face.
STEP 4.
Next, draw in her shoulders, and her arm as well as her hands. Notice how she is resting on her belly which means she is holding up her head with her arms bent and hands resting on her chin or jawline. Take your time with this step because it's really important to try and draw in her hands properly.
STEP 5.
Draw in the other arm. You can only see the forearm because her hair is covering the rest. Next, sketch in her torso as well as the shapes of her breast. Draw the shell on the visible breast like so, and also sketch in more curly locks.
STEP 6.
Okay guys we are almost there. You will now draw in a majority of her body starting with the rest of her torso. You will then sketch in her belly, legs in the form of a mermaid fin, and then her buttocks. Sketch in some detailing or better yet, definition.
STEP 7.
You can now begin the process of drawing her tail which is in a very loose, lustrous pose or design. I wanted her tail fin to make her long hair. You can choose any type of mermaid tail you like, but this is my favorite type for this character.
STEP 8.
All you have to do is sketch in some detailing on the fish like tail fin like so. Like her hair, these are like hair strand lines. This adds texture and body to her tail.
STEP 9.
Once you sketch in the last detailing on her fin, you can start erasing your mistakes and guidelines. You are gonna have a blast coloring her in.
STEP 10.
Here she is all done. As you can see I sketched in some cross hatching along her tail for scale detailing. Choose a color pallet and then get busy with coloring her in.Comments: Post Comment
i didn't say anything i thought was inappropraite but what i meant was the musles on the back that would (if the mermaid had them) power the legs. 
aka the gluteus maximus muscles
i didn't say anything i thought was inappropraite but what i meant was the musles on the back that would (if the mermaid had them) power the legs. aka the gluteus maximus muscles
just call me OCD or whatever but As a mermaid a creature that doesn't have legs i dont think would have a or knees, which would hinder swimming fast, but instead would be long and smooth and funtion like a dolphin (despite it being considered half fish) I understand some syles of drawing are not partcualarly accurate but i still need to point it out, looks awseome.
just call me OCD or whatever but As a mermaid a creature that doesn't have legs i dont think would have a or knees, which would hinder swimming fast, but instead would be long and smooth and funtion like a dolphin (despite it being considered half fish) I understand some syles of drawing are not partcualarly accurate but i still need to point it out, looks awseome. 
.gif "B)")
