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Drawing Sea Creatures
How to Draw a Koi Fish Download ArticleExplore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Start by sketching the head. 2 Draw a long, slim oval. 3 Draw a big M-like shape at the end of the oval. 4 Draw two semicircles on each side of the body. 5 Outline the shapes. 6 Erase the sketch lines. 7 Color your drawing. + Show 4 more... - Show less... Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Related Articles Reviewed by Jeanine Hattas Wilson
Last Updated: November 28, 2022
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This article was reviewed by Jeanine Hattas Wilson. Jeanine Hattas Wilson is a Professional Painter and the President of Hattas Public Murals, Inc. With nearly 20 years of experience, Jeanine specializes in creating, overseeing, designing, and painting murals. Jeanine holds a BA in Advertising from Marquette University and a Studio Painting Minor from The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design. She has studied at The Atelier Artien in Paris, France, Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art, and under renowned artists such as Robert Liberace, Michael Siegel, and William Cochran. To date, Hattas Public Murals has painted nearly 5,000 commissioned works of art in homes and commercial and public spaces. This article has been viewed 188,426 times.
Koi is an ornamental variety of the Carp fish species. Because the Japanese pronunciation of the kanji “love” is the same as “Carp”, the Koi fish has become a symbol of love and friendship in Japan., as well as a popular tattoo motif. Want to draw a koi fish of your very own? We've got you covered with a quick, easy-to-follow tutorial. Grab your pencil and get ready to make a splash on your sketch paper!
Steps
1
Start by sketching the head.
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To do so, draw a rounded triangle. Inside this shape, draw a circle.
Advertisement 2
Draw a long, slim oval.
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This oval will be coming off the upper right of the rounded triangle. Narrow the oval towards the end. This will be the body of the fish.
3
Draw a big M-like shape at the end of the oval.
Download Article
This M-like shape will be the tail.
Advertisement 4
Draw two semicircles on each side of the body.
Download Article
Draw another smaller one on the exterior right side of the head. These will become the fins.
5
Outline the shapes.
Download Article
Add details (such as whiskers) as you go. Also, add details on the fins.
Advertisement 6
Erase the sketch lines.
Download Article
Add the scales on the body.
7
Color your drawing.
Download Article
This is the finishing touch!
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Question How do I draw the tail right? It's so hard! Community Answer If you look at a picture of one and follow that, it might help. If you really need to draw the tail, and you can't make it where the fish is swimming off the page, then you can print a picture and then trace the outline, and then personalize it. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 21 Helpful 30
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About This Article
Reviewed by: Jeanine Hattas Wilson Artist This article was reviewed by Jeanine Hattas Wilson. Jeanine Hattas Wilson is a Professional Painter and the President of Hattas Public Murals, Inc. With nearly 20 years of experience, Jeanine specializes in creating, overseeing, designing, and painting murals. Jeanine holds a BA in Advertising from Marquette University and a Studio Painting Minor from The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design. She has studied at The Atelier Artien in Paris, France, Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art, and under renowned artists such as Robert Liberace, Michael Siegel, and William Cochran. To date, Hattas Public Murals has painted nearly 5,000 commissioned works of art in homes and commercial and public spaces. This article has been viewed 188,426 times. 296 votes - 76% Co-authors: 13Updated: November 28, 2022 Views: 188,426 Categories: Drawing Sea Creatures In other languages Spanish Russian German Chinese French
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Reader Success Stories
Millie U.
Dec 9, 2016
"It really helped me draw a koi fish, and I enjoyed the step by step instructions."
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Reviewed by: Jeanine Hattas Wilson Artist 296 votes - 76% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 13Updated: November 28, 2022 Views: 188,426
Millie U.
Dec 9, 2016
"It really helped me draw a koi fish, and I enjoyed the step by step instructions." Share yours!
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Download Article Explore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Start by sketching the head. 2 Draw a long, slim oval. 3 Draw a big M-like shape at the end of the oval. 4 Draw two semicircles on each side of the body. 5 Outline the shapes. 6 Erase the sketch lines. 7 Color your drawing. + Show 4 more... - Show less... Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Related Articles Reviewed by Jeanine Hattas Wilson 
A Step-by-Step Guide to Drawing Perfect Hearts 
Advertisement 
Reviewed by: Jeanine Hattas Wilson Artist This article was reviewed by Jeanine Hattas Wilson. Jeanine Hattas Wilson is a Professional Painter and the President of Hattas Public Murals, Inc. With nearly 20 years of experience, Jeanine specializes in creating, overseeing, designing, and painting murals. Jeanine holds a BA in Advertising from Marquette University and a Studio Painting Minor from The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design. She has studied at The Atelier Artien in Paris, France, Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art, and under renowned artists such as Robert Liberace, Michael Siegel, and William Cochran. To date, Hattas Public Murals has painted nearly 5,000 commissioned works of art in homes and commercial and public spaces. This article has been viewed 188,426 times. 296 votes - 76% Co-authors: 13 Updated: November 28, 2022 Views: 188,426 Categories: Drawing Sea Creatures In other languages Spanish Russian German Chinese French 
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493 
To do so, draw a rounded triangle. Inside this shape, draw a circle. Advertisement 
This oval will be coming off the upper right of the rounded triangle. Narrow the oval towards the end. This will be the body of the fish. 
This M-like shape will be the tail. Advertisement 
Draw another smaller one on the exterior right side of the head. These will become the fins. 
Add details (such as whiskers) as you go. Also, add details on the fins. Advertisement 
Add the scales on the body. 
This is the finishing touch! Advertisement 
Community Answer If you look at a picture of one and follow that, it might help. If you really need to draw the tail, and you can't make it where the fish is swimming off the page, then you can print a picture and then trace the outline, and then personalize it. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 21 Helpful 30