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How to Draw a Diving Beetle

12 steps · Medium · about 9 min

Draw a diving beetle in 12 easy steps, about 9 minutes. Free, with a printable worksheet.

Each picture adds one red line. Draw that line, then scroll to the next picture. Rub out any dashed helper lines at the end. First up: the head.

Step 1: The head
A little above the middle draw a small egg head on its side. Leave lots of room below.
Tip A beetle's head is small: the big shell is the star.
Step 2: Two antennae
Start on the head near the top. Draw a thick short curve up and out, ending in a ball.
Step 3: Two big eyes
In the middle of the head draw 2 big egg eyes, one eye apart. Add a dot with a shine.
Step 4: Smile and cheeks
Under the eyes draw a wide open smile like a flat-topped U. Add a round cheek beside each corner.
Step 5: A smooth shell
Start on the chin at the left cheek. Draw a long smooth oval down to a point and back.
Tip Shaped like a little boat, pointed at the back.
Step 6: Shell lines
Draw a line from the chin to the point. Add a line across the top and a thin rim inside.
Step 7: Front and middle legs
On each side under the smile line draw 2 short legs: out to a knee, down to a foot.
Step 8: Two oar legs
Low on each side draw one long swimming leg bending at a knee, sweeping down to a flat paddle foot.
Tip A diving beetle rows with both back legs like oars.
Step 9: Bubbles and surface
Draw a bubble on the shell's bottom point. Draw a wavy water line across the top. Add 3 rising bubbles.
Tip A diving beetle carries an air bubble on its tail like a scuba tank.
Step 10: Yellow rim, green shell
Colour the thin rim yellow. Colour the shell inside the rim dark green.
Step 11: Grey head and legs
Colour the mouth red. Colour the head, antennae and legs dark grey around it, leaving the eyes and cheeks white.
Step 12: Pink cheeks, blue water
Colour the cheeks pink. Colour the water pale sky blue around the beetle, leaving the bubbles white.