How to Draw Mermaid Ariel

Begin by drawing a small circle. This will outline Ariel's face.

From the circle, extend a curved line to outline the jaw and chin.

Draw a series of curved lines intersecting the circle. These lines outline the way Ariel's hair lays across her forehead and ear.

Erase the guide lines from Ariel's head.

Extend two curved lines downward from the head to form Ariel's neck and shoulders.

Enclose the shape of Ariel's upper body by drawing a nearly circular curved line from shoulder to shoulder.

Enclose a roughly rectangular shape below the upper body using curved lines. This forms Ariel's torso, or stomach.

Extend two long, curved lines from the stomach. Allow the lines to meet in a sharp point, enclosing Ariel's tail.

From the tail, extend two sets of curved lines. Each set will meet in a point, outlining Ariel's fins.

Draw a curved line above the point where Ariel's tail and stomach meet. This adds detail to the tail.

Add more detail to Ariel. Draw a short, curved line below the neck to indicate the collar bone. Draw an apostrophe shape - a dot with a short, curved line - on the stomach to form the belly button, and draw curved lines across the ridge above the tail. Finally, draw long, curved lines down the length of each fin.

Extend a set of curved lines from each shoulder to outline the arms.

Add another set of curved lines to each arm, placing them at an angle to indicate the bend of the elbow.

Draw Ariel's hands using a series of connected, curved lines. Each finger may by drawn using an elongated, "U" shaped line. Draw a curve across the palm of her hand to add detail.

Draw Ariel's seashell garment by enclosing a series of overlapping teardrop shapes in two sets across her upper body. Use two short, curved lines to draw the strap.

Erase the guide lines from the upper body.

Draw Ariel's hair using long and short curved lines. Around her face, allow the lines to overlap. Towards the end of her hair, allow the lines to meet in points.

Enclose Ariel's eyes using curved lines. Draw her nose and eyebrows using curved lines. Extend short curved lines from above the eyes to indicate eyelashes.

Enclose the mouth and lips using four curved lines. Draw two curved lines within each eye to form the pupil and iris. Draw a small circle within the pupil, and shade the pupil.

Color Ariel. Traditionally, she is depicted with red hair and a green tail.