How to Draw A Cartoon Squid

This lesson will help you learn to draw a cartoon squid! Yes, I know! I've already created a drawing lesson involving an octopus! But a squid is not quite similar, even if they are both coming from the same class (Cephalopod). 

Squids have two long tentacles and their sizes can reach an impressing 20m (while octopus are rarely longer than 5m). Squids are also living in a shell (called pen) while an octopus doesn't have a shell or even bones. Now enough with this biology lesson! Let's start the drawing one!

Step 1

First, draw a medium triangle on top of (what will become) the shell to illustrate the fins of the squid (another difference vs our octopus friend!). Next, draw a rectangle under your triangle to create the shell. The top part of this new shape should be a little narrower.

Step 2

Continue your artwork by adding a circle to form the body of our marine buddy. You can also add two circles to create the eyes of your squid. You can incline these two circles towards each other for a cuter looks!

Step 3

To represent the arms, just draw eight lines for now. It is useless to use shapes like an oval or a rectangle to sketch the arms. You drawing will be too loaded and hard to read if you do so.

Step 4

Since the squid only has two tentacles, you can use rectangles to illustrate them. On the end of each tentacles, draw a circle to form the hooks.

Step 5

Now it's time to refine your animal. Join the triangle used to create the fins with the rectangle below it to form the shell. You can add two small lines near the fins to separate them from the shell.

Step 6

For the arms, just make sure that the tip of each of them is pointed and narrow. Notice that all arms are located on the tip of what looks like the mouth. Add two small circles in each eye to create the pupils.

Step 7

Finally, refine the outline of the tentacles. Notice the shape on the end of each tentacles. They are similar to the shape of a heart. The tentacles should be longer than the arms.

Step 8

Add some colors to your squid. For a better readability, make the body and the tentacles slightly darker. Squids can also be blue or orange. Just choose the color of your choice!

Step 9

If you want to give a professional look to your drawing, add some shadows on the shell and on the tentacles. Congratulations! You've just created a nice and amusing cartoon squid in only nine easy steps! Don't forget to try the octopus lesson too if you really enjoyed this one! Have fun!

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