How to Draw a Cartoon Shark

Around 440 different kinds of sharks live in oceans and seas around the world. For better or for worse, this animal has often been vilified in popular culture. From 1975’s iconic blockbuster film Jaws, to the character of Bruce from Finding Nemo, to Discovery Channel’s annual Shark Week, sharks have long been both feared and adored.

Would you like to draw your very own cartoon shark? Now you can, using this easy, step-by-step drawing tutorial. This shark isn’t scary – in fact, he’s smiling!

All you will need is a piece of paper and something with which to draw, such as a pencil or pen. You may also want to have an eraser handy to correct any mistakes, and some markers, crayons, or colored pencils with which to color your finished drawing.

Each step of this drawing guide is accompanied by an illustration. In each picture, new lines are highlighted in light blue, whereas lines from previous steps are shown in black. You may want to sketch lightly at first, as you will be erasing some of your early lines as you go along.

If you liked this tutorial, see also the following drawing guides: Fish, Seahorse, and Turtle.

Watch 'How to Draw a Cartoon Shark' Video Tutorial

Step-by-Step Instructions for Drawing a Cartoon Shark

Begin by drawing a circle. This will become the shark’s head.

Extend two curved lines from the head to form the shark’s snout.

Below the snout, extend two more curved lines. These lines form the lower jaw.

Draw two long, curving lines extending from the back of the head. These lines outline the shark’s body.

Erase the guide lines from the head.

Draw a large “U” shaped line at the base of the body to form the tail fin.

Draw two overlapping curved lines across the bowl of the “U” shaped line.

Draw a horizontal curved line within the middle of the body. From this line, extend two longer curved lines that meet in a point. This triangular shape forms the shark’s pectoral fin.

Extend three curved lines from the shark’s back. Allow the lines to meet in a point, forming the dorsal fin. This is the fin that is often seen above the water when a shark is swimming nearby.

Below the mouth, extend two curved lines to meet in a point. This shape forms the far pectoral fin.

Draw a wavy line from the tip of the nose to the pectoral fin, and another from the pectoral fin to the tail.

Use short, slightly curved lines to form a series of small triangles within the mouth. These are, of course, the sharp teeth.

Erase the guide line from the pectoral fin.

Draw a curved line within the mouth to form the back side of the jaw.

Draw an oval to form the eye, and another oval at the tip of the snout to form the nostril.

Using two curved lines, draw the enclosed shape of the eyebrow above the eye. Draw a curved line through the eye to form the pupil.

Draw two small circles within the pupil. Shade the pupil and the eyebrow.

Draw a curved line down the length of each pectoral fin.

Add detail to the tail, pectoral fin, and dorsal fin by drawing short, curved lines. Place a series of curved lines between the mouth and pectoral fin to form the gills.

Color your finished cartoon shark.