How to Draw an Octopus Step by Step - 13 Easy Steps!

In this fun and easy octopus drawing tutorial, you’ll learn how to draw an octopus step by step.

This octopus drawing easy tutorial is great for beginner artists (both kids and adults) who want to improve their drawing skills.

Drawing octopus can be a great way to express your creativity. With just a few simple steps, you can draw an accurate and detailed octopus picture.

Fun Fact: Did you know that an octopus can grow up to 16 feet long and weigh up to 50 pounds?

What You’ll Need

We’ll be creating our octopus drawing using the following materials:

• A piece of paper
• A pencil
• An eraser

How to Draw an Octopus Step by Step

Follow our step-by-step tutorial covering how to draw an octopus.

We’ve included all of the steps in detail so that the process is easier to follow.

So, let’s get started!

The collage above shows each step of the process so you know what your realistic octopus drawing should look like at each stage. 

Instructions on How to Draw a Octopus Step by Step

Tip: Make sure you don’t press too hard on the paper when you draw your pencil lines so that you can correct your mistakes with an eraser as you go through the tutorial.

Step 1: Draw the Head

Draw a large letter C shape for the head.

Step 2: Outline Your Head

Draw two curved lines with darker pencil lines, one on the right side and another on the left side.

Step 3: Draw the First Tentacle

Now it’s time to draw eight arms (tentacles) using wavy lines.

Draw two curved long lines that extend from the right-hand side of the octopus head and curve into a point to create the first tentacle.

The top line should connect to the octopus head but the bottom line should end just below the head.

Step 4: Draw the Second Tentacle

Repeat step 3 on the left side of the octopus head.

Step 5: Draw the Next Two Tentacles

Repeat Steps 3 and 4 to create 2 more tentacles underneath the first 2 tentacles. These tentacles should not touch the octopus’s head.

Make the ends of the tentacles curve in the opposite direction.

Step 6: Draw Two More Tentacles

Repeat step 5 and create 2 more tentacles below the tentacles you created in step 5.

The lines for these tentacles should end slightly closer to the middle line of the head than the others.

Step 7: Draw the Last Two Tentacles

Draw the last two tentacles on each side of the octopus head by drawing four wavy lines.

Connect the ends of the outer lines to the ends of the outer lines you created in step 6.

And connect the inner lines to each other at the ends.

Step 8: Draw the Eyes

A. Draw two small circles inside the head. Then add two smaller circles inside to add more detail.

B. Shade both inner circles using your pencil. Then add another circle around the inner circle of each eye.

Step 9: Add the Suction Cups

Add small semi-circle shapes around the inside edges of all 8 tentacles.

Step 10: Erase Your Pencil Marks

Erase any unwanted pencil marks.

Step 11: Add the Texture

A. Draw rough edges to the octopus to give more texture and make it look more 3 dimensional and realistic.

B. Add a few tiny lines to the head.

Step 12: Add the Shading

Bring your octopus drawing to life by shading with your pencil.

Step 13: Add Final Details

Draw a few waves around your octopus to create the ocean floor. Then add several lines or dots to the body.

Congratulations!

You have just finished your very own octopus easy drawing.

Don’t worry if your simple octopus drawing isn’t perfect the first time, the more you practice the better you will get!

We hope you had fun and that our easy drawing of octopus tutorial helped you learn something new today.

Try out your newly learned skills on different sea creatures like a squid or a shrimp and have fun practicing until you master the art of drawing!

Bonus Tips on How to Improve Your Octopus Drawing

1. Practice sketching before you draw your octopus. This will help to get the muscles of your hand used to the motions needed for drawing.

2. Use reference images such as stock photos or ink sketches to help create a realistic-looking octopus. It is important to use a variety of references to ensure accuracy and a well-balanced composition.

3. Add intricate details such as wrinkles in the skin to make it look more realistic.

4. Consider adding color to your drawing using watercolors, markers, or colored pencils. This will help bring your octopus drawing to life.

5. Practice drawing the same octopus multiple times, while making slight adjustments each time to perfect your technique. This will help to boost your confidence and improve your overall skill level.

6. Use a lightbox or tracing paper to transfer your drawing onto nicer art paper for a more professional look.

7. Have fun with your drawings and use your imagination. Octopuses can be silly, cute or even scary depending on what you choose to draw.

8. Finally, don’t forget to share your work with friends and family! This will help motivate you to keep improving and creating more artwork.

Soon, you’ll be a master at sea creature drawings!

Looking for more similar drawing tutorials? Search our list of 101+ Drawing Ideas!

Happy drawing!