How to Draw a Grouper

Step 1: Eye and big lips

Above the middle, draw a big round eye. In front, start level with it, draw big fat lips, stopping below.

Tip Huge rubbery lips: the bottom lip sticks out past the top, and the mouth line smiles.

Step 2: Long heavy body

From the top lip, arch a big back over the eye, stopping near the right. Draw the tummy the same.

Tip A heavyweight: long and thick, about twice as long as it is tall.

Step 3: Wide round tail

Draw a round tail from the back's end to the tummy's end. Close it with a curve. Add 2 rays.

Step 4: Back fin

Start on the back behind the eye. Draw 4 soft round spikes, then a round hump, stopping at the tail.

Tip Keep the spike tips round, not sharp. Add 2 little lines in the hump.

Step 5: Gill

Behind the eye, start below the back line. Draw 1 short C bowing toward the tail, stopping above the tummy.

Step 6: Round side fin

Draw a round fan fin, starting and stopping on the middle of the gill. Add 2 rays fanning out.

Step 7: Tummy fins

On the tummy, start a little fin swept back to a point and back up. Add a bigger one behind.

Step 8: Blotches

Draw 5 wobbly blotches on the body: 2 on the back, 2 behind the side fin, 1 under the gill.

Tip Like a cow's patches, never neat circles. Keep them off the fins and eye.

Step 9: Bubbles

In front of the face, draw 3 bubbles floating up, each one bigger than the last.

Step 10: Sand and seaweed

Draw a wavy sand line edge to edge. Add 2 seaweed leaves on the left and 1 on the right.

Tip Each seaweed is a closed wiggly leaf standing on the sand.

Step 11: Tan grouper

Colour the body and lips tan, leaving the eye white. Add a soft pink dot on the cheek.

Step 12: Sandy floor, blue bubbles

Colour the floor under the sand line sandy and the bubbles light blue.

Step 13: Brown fins, green seaweed

Colour the blotches, tail and fins brown, and the seaweed green. Go over your lines and your grouper is done!