In this quick tutorial you'll learn how to draw an Octopus in 5 easy steps - great for kids and novice artists.
The images above represent how your finished drawing is going to look and the steps involved.
Below are the individual steps - you can click on each one for a High Resolution printable PDF version.
At the bottom you can read some interesting facts about the Octopus.
Make sure you also check out any of the hundreds of drawing tutorials grouped by category.
How to Draw an Octopus - Step-by-Step Tutorial
Step 1: Let's draw an octopus! Start with an upside-down letter U shape. Here's a hint: it looks like the head of a balloon!
Step 2: Draw the first two tentacles by tracing squiggly lines on either side of the octopus' head. Here's a tip: trace up and then down again, almost like a wave, so that your octopus looks like it's really swimming!
Step 3: Next, draw three more tentacles in between the first two. Make them wavy, too, moving three of the tentacles to the right and the other two moving to the left direction. Don't forget to keep the tentacles skinny!
Step 4: For the face, draw two medium-sized dots in the middle for the eyes, and trace five spots at the top of the head for detail.
Step 5: Last, trace small circles all along the inside of your tentacles for the octopus' suckers. You just drew an octopus! Did you know that octopuses are deaf? They do have other really strong senses, like touch, sight and smell. The undersides of their tentacles have suckers, like the ones you just drew, and those help an octopus to taste what they touch. The suckers also help them catch their food and stick to surfaces like coral reefs.
Interesting Facts about Octopuses
Octopuses are known for their eight arms, called tentacles, and round-shaped head. They live on the bottom of the ocean. There are about 300 species of octopus. Some only live for about six months, while others can live for up to five years.
Did you know?
- Octopuses do not have skeletons, and so they are able to squeeze their bodies into tight spaces.
- Octopuses can change their color to blend in with the environment. This helps them hide from predators and their prey when hunting for food.
- Octopuses are deaf. However, they have strong senses of touch, sight, and smell. The undersides of their arms have suckers (also called suction cups), which are used to taste what they touch. Suction cups also help them capture their food and stick to surfaces like coral reefs.
- If an octopus loses a tentacle, it can grow it back. This is called regeneration.
- Octopuses spray a cloud of black ink when they feel threatened by a predator.
- Octopuses eat mollusks, crabs, fish, scallops, crabs, and plants.
Many people around the world eat octopuses, and sometimes they even eat live octopuses! One of the most famous cartoon octopuses is Ursula from the movie The Little Mermaid.
How To Draw An Octopus – Step-by-Step Tutorial