The ocean is a treasure trove of breathtaking, beautiful life forms. It is a source of endless variety in shape and color for your sketchpad. Many sea creatures are easy to draw. The deep blue sea is still an unchartered territory, with new species discovered regularly. You will never be short of drawing ideas from the ocean.
Why draw marine life?
In 2023, there were 243,613 accepted marine species. That number includes countless fish species. Fish is one of the simplest life forms to draw. But there are thousands of other sea creatures, strange and surprising. These myriad marine life species are great for drawing practice.
How to get good at drawing
If you want to become skillful at drawing, there is only one way ahead. It is to draw often and regularly. You want to start sketching what looks easy. What better option than marine life?
Don´t worry about using this or that drawing technique. Look more at the reference photo, and less at your sketch-in-progress. Give your hand freedom. You will be surprised at the beautiful linework that slowly, slowly emerges.
Drawing ideas from the ocean
I am sharing 25 sea life drawing ideas with you here. My sketchbook is full to the brim with more.
Subscribe to my newsletter and you will know when I post more drawing ideas. You also get access to a free library of line drawings for the watercolor tutorials on this website.
I will take you through a succession of simple fish forms and then transition to more exotic marine life. I saved the best for the end.
Start by drawing easy fish shapes
If you are right-handed, start drawing fish facing to the left. Draw the head and eyes first. As you gain confidence, it does not matter what direction it is facing.
Notice how the placement and shape of the fins make each fish unique. The body oval and the eyes are also defining features. In the drawing ideas below, some of the fish are juvenile. The fins are more pronounced. That makes them more fun to draw.
What kind of reference photo is best for sketching?
When you practice drawing, look at small reference photos. It makes sketching easier. You can assess the main form without getting caught up in details. Sketching should be fast. Draw the first photo you like in a Google image search.
Don´t linger, don´t hesitate. Make small sketches. It will allow you to draw many creatures in one session.
Start sketching: 25 marine life drawing ideas
Idea #1: Golden Damselfish
A cute little yellow fish. This one is a young Golden Damselfish.
Idea #2: Madder Seaperch
Lovely yellow and orange colors blend seamlessly on the Madder Seaperch.
Idea #3: Bluestreak Goby Fish
A juvenile Bluestreak Goby fish.
Idea #4: Unicornfish/ Naso
Unicorns do exist. Naso fish.
Idea #5: Lyretail Hogfish
A juvenile Lyretail Hogfish. The tail looks like the strings on a lyre.
Idea #6: Whitespotted Filefish
I drew a Whitespotted Filefish with few spots. It has a deep yellow color.
Idea #7: Masked Goby Fish
The protruding eyes on the Masked Gobyfish are fun to draw.
Idea #8: French Angelfish
There are many versions of angelfish, but this one is blue.
Idea #9: Spotgill Cardinalfish
Idea #10: Elegant Unicornfish
I love the curling tale of this Elegant Unicornfish.
Peculiar fish drawing ideas
There is no shortage of strange fish in the ocean. The next five fish are fun to draw.
Idea #11: Narrownose Chimaera
Idea #12: Leaf Scorpionfish
The peculiar Leaf Scorpionfish
Idea #13: Swordfish
Idea #14: Handfish
Have you heard about handfish that can walk?
Idea #15: Flying Fish
Did you see a flying fish lately?
More marvelous marine life drawing ideas
No chance of getting bored. The abundant diversity of marine life will inspire you. Before you know it, your sketchbook is filled with the wonders of the sea.
Idea #16: Bright-Red Sea Toad or Coffinfish
This peculiar sea toad is a recent discovery. The skin looks as if crocheted with red yarn. It walks the deep sea floor.
Idea #17: Starfish/ Asteria Rubens
This starfish may look like it is running, but it is not true.
Idea #18: Sea Angel
Otherworldly angels swim in the deep blue sea. The Sea Angel made worldwide headlines when Alexander Semenov published photos of this tiny creature.
Idea #19: Seaslug/ Nudibranch
Nudibranchs are stunning beauties. They come in myriad patterns and bright colors.
Idea #20: Vampire Squid
Idea #21: Dugong/ Sea Cow
The Dugong is an endearing marine mammal. It grazes peacefully on sea grasses.
Idea #22: Blacktip Reef Shark
Not so peaceful, the Blacktip Reef Shark.
Idea #23: Beluga Whale
The cute Beluga Whale is highly sociable.
Idea #24: Duck-Billed Platypus
The Duck-billed Platipus is a sea mammal. It looks like a mix of duck, beaver, and otter.
Idea #25: Deep-Sea Batfish
Does this creature look like ravioli, or not? It made headlines when it was discovered in 2022. Deep-sea batfish live in the deepest of the deep ocean.
Happy sketching!
====== Level Up library members: Download 4 marine life outline drawings. Trace and experiment with watercolor.
Explore more drawing ideas:
Beginner Sketching Ideas from Nature
5 Quick Tips For Keeping a Daily Sketchbook
How to Draw an Elephant Easily, Step by Step
How to Draw a Sunflower With a Freehand Golden Ratio Spiral
How to Draw & Watercolor Four Colorful Butterflies
