Seashells are the exoskeleton, or hard protective covering, of marine animals like snails and mollusks. Crabs also use the discarded shells of other animals in this way. Shells come in many shapes and colors.
Many people collect seashells. This hobby is called shelling. Shells make a great beach vacation souvenir because they are fun to find, come in an endless variety, and are free of charge! Some use the shells in arts and crafts projects, making items such as picture frames or jewelry.
If you plan to go shelling, remember these helpful tips. The best time to search for shells is around low tide. At this time, the water is more shallow, revealing shells previously hidden beneath the waves. It is also helpful to search just after a storm when heavy waves have washed shells closer to shore.
Scroll down for a downloadable PDF of this tutorial.
Never take home a seashell that still has an animal living in it. Not only would doing so kill the animal, but it is illegal to do so in many places, such as Florida! You can clean any shells you do take home be soaking them briefly in bleach water. This will prevent the shells from becoming smelly.
The type of shell in our drawing guide was made by a creature called a scallop.
Scallops are considered bivalves, meaning their shells have left and right portions that are connected by a hinge. The scallop shape has often been used in art and popular culture, from ancient architecture elements to the Shell gas station logo.
Would you like to draw a cartoon seashell? You can start your own shell collection today! This easy, step-by-step cartoon drawing tutorial is here to show you how. All you will need is a pencil, an eraser, and a sheet of paper.
If you liked this tutorial, see also the following drawing guides: Stingray, Oyster with a Pearl, and Cute Narwhal.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Drawing a Seashell
1. Begin by drawing a straight diagonal line. This guide line will help you to draw the shape of the shell.
2. Draw a straight line extending from the original line at an acute angle. Then, connect the two lines using a curved line.
3. Draw a straight line extending from the original line at the same point as the previous line. Connect the lines using a curved line. This line should meet the original line at the same point as the previous curved line.
4. Erase the original guide line, leaving a clean outline of the shell.
MORE DRAWING TUTORIALS:
5. Draw a "C" shaped curved line on each side of the pointed base of the shell. Then, draw straight lines emanating from the base of the shell. Connect the lines at the top using short, curved lines, erasing previous lines as necessary.
6. Draw additional straight lines from the base to the top of the shell. Connect them using curved lines at the top, erasing the outline as necessary.
7. Draw additional straight lines from the base to the top of the shell. Connect them using curved lines at the top, erasing the outline as necessary.
8. Complete the scalloped texture of the shell by drawing straight lines from the base to the edge. Erase the top outline, replacing it with scalloped segments of curved lines.
MORE DRAWING TUTORIALS:
9. Draw a pair of wavy lines across the middle of the shell.
Color your seashell. Shells can be found in many colors, including white, cream, yellow, orange, red, pink, brown, and even black.
Then, check out our other oceanic cartoon drawing guides.
Scroll down for a downloadable PDF of this tutorial.
The Complete Seashell Drawing Tutorial in One Image
Printable Drawing Tutorial
This printable is for members only. Join now!
Learn how to get access to thousands of printable pages!
MEMBER TROUBLESHOOTING
Still seeing ads or not being able to download the PDF?
First, check that you're logged in. You can log in on the member login page.
If you're still not able to download the PDF, the likely solution is to reload the page.
You can do this by clicking the browser reload button.
It is a circular arrow-shaped icon at the top of the browser window, typically found in the upper-left side (you can also use keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl+R on PC and Command+R on Mac).
It was so fun making this.. thank you!
I'm glad you had fun ❤️
Thankyou. The was great an fun to see this.
You're welcome, Karen. ❤️