How to Draw a Mackerel

Step 1: Long slim body

Start on the right, draw a low back to a pointy snout, then the tummy back, stopping under the start.

Tip A mackerel is a torpedo: about 3 times longer than it is tall.

Step 2: Big eye and smile

Draw a big round eye with a pupil and 2 shines. From the snout tip draw a short curly smile.

Tip Stop the smile before it reaches the eye.

Step 3: Forked tail

On the end of the body draw a tail with 2 long points and a deep V between them.

Tip Close the tail with a tiny line where it joins the body.

Step 4: Three small fins

Start on the back. Draw 2 swept-back fins, each stopping on the back. Add 1 matching fin under the tummy.

Tip Each fin starts and stops on the body line.

Step 5: Tiny finlets

Between the small fins and the tail draw 3 tiny bumps on the back and 3 on the tummy.

Tip Finlets are the tiny fins a mackerel has near its tail.

Step 6: Gill and side fin

Behind the eye draw a C from the back down to the tummy. Add a small leaf fin behind it.

Step 7: Side line

Start on the middle of the gill. Draw a long gentle line along the body, stopping at the tail.

Step 8: Wavy stripes

Draw 6 wiggly stripes on the back. Each starts on the back line and stops on the side line.

Tip The stripes get shorter toward the tail.

Step 9: Bubbles

Above the snout, draw 3 bubbles floating up, each bigger than the last.

Step 10: Sand and seaweed

Draw a wavy sand line edge to edge. Grow 3 tall pointy seaweed leaves from it, 2 on the left.

Step 11: Sandy floor, blue bubbles

Colour the floor under the sand line sandy, right to the edges. Colour the 3 bubbles light blue.

Step 12: Silver head and tummy

Colour the head and the tummy silver grey, around the side fin. Leave the eye white.

Step 13: Green-blue back

Colour the back green-blue, above the side line from the gill to the tail. Colour the seaweed green.

Step 14: Dark fins

Colour the tail, the fins and the tiny finlets dark grey. Your mackerel is done!