How To Draw A Dumbo Octopus

The theme of this tutorial is drawing an octopus; we'll base it on the beefcake of this mollusc but also bring some stylization into our artwork.

I'll prove yous an easy way to create a pencil sketch from scratch, and then nosotros'll explore the pace-by-step process of drawing with ink liners. We'll besides learn to use dots and mix artistic techniques to our advantage!

What You Will Need

A canvas of drawing paper
A graphite pencil (I recommend using an HB type)
An eraser
An ink liner number 0.2
An ink liner number 0.1
An ink liner number 0.05

1. How to Draw an Octopus With a Graphite Pencil

Step one

I draw a slightly curved core line; it will aid us to marker the positioning of the figure.

Footstep two

I outline the crude shape of the caput. Then I add an oblong shape where the optics are located.

According to this foreshortening, 1 side of the octopus is more visible to the viewer than another.

Step 3

I add the framework of the limbs. An octopus has 8 artillery that can be divided into four pairs.

Now I marker only the arms that are visible in the foreground, merely to keep the procedure equally simple as possible. We'll add the subconscious artillery later.

Footstep 4

I describe the optics. They are large, enclosed in a capsule, and have a slit-shaped pupil.

Step v

I draw the fold of the aperture at the side of the head.

Step vi

I add the siphon; it resembles a funnel. An octopus uses a siphon for respiration and locomotion.

Now nosotros are ready to proceed to drawing the tentacles, or the artillery. This topic needs additional explanations, so I'll see you in the next section!

2. How to Draw Tentacles

Step 1

It'south worth mentioning that, according to Wikipedia, the correct proper name for the limbs of an octopus is "arms", not "tentacles". But since it is a mutual appellation, I'll be using "tentacles" at present and then throughout the tutorial.

I draw the first pair of arms, keeping the lines smooth and soft.

Step 2

To draw the inner parts of the tentacles correctly, we demand to keep in mind the principles of perspective.

The foreshortening defines how much of the interior surface we see; the image below illustrates this concept.

We'll dwell upon drawing the suckers (the round elements that comprehend the interior surfaces of the arms) simply in the next stride.

I add together the inner parts of the first pair of arms.

Step three

The stylized form of a sucker resembles a bowl with a hollow key cavity.

The principles of perspective are applicative here, likewise: the signal of view defines how we see the object. For case, if we have an overhead view of a sucker, nosotros'll encounter but the top plane with the crenel and no sides.

Exploring the perspective How to draw a sucker

Each arm has two rows of suckers. Depending on the species, the suckers can be placed in a parallel or a staggered social club.

I add the suckers to the first pair of the arms. The suckers become smaller towards the end of the limb, so just mark the smallest ones without adding many details.

Adding the suckers to the first pair of the arms

Stride 4

I depict the 2d pair of artillery and then add the inner sides.

Pace v

I add the suckers to the second pair of artillery.

Step half-dozen

I draw the remaining tentacle of the 3rd pair. Then I add together the inner surface and the suckers, just as we did in the previous examples.

Footstep 7

I describe the second arm from the tertiary pair; it is hidden behind one of the arms in the foreground.

Step 8

I add the fourth arm pair. Use your imagination and artistic flair to find the best direction for these arms; it's important to proceed the remainder of the figure.

I applied light pencil hatching to the inner parts of the limbs just for your reference.

Step nine

As a final improver to this pencil sketch, I draw the suckers.

I clean my drawing with the eraser. Information technology's important to make sure that all unnecessary pencil lines are removed before proceeding to any additional artistic tool.

The sketch is ready for inking!

3. How to Draw With Ink Liners

Step 1

Before nosotros begin inking our octopus drawing, allow's try some warm-up exercises and practice making dots on the newspaper.

Dotwork (likewise known as stippling) is a dandy artistic technique; it'due south a perfect choice for creating beautiful textures.

Draw a sample of dotwork that consists of ii parts. Apply the 0.2 ink liner for the left ane and the 0.one liner for the right ane.

Footstep 2

Create a line, using only dots. The speed of drawing influences the accuracy of the individual dots within the line.

The 0.2 ink liner is a great tool for this exercise.

Step 3

The goal of the next practice is to brand a gradation of value. With the 0.2 ink liner, create a sample with an increasing density of ink dots.

Playing with the density of the ink dots

four. How to Depict an Octopus With Ink Liners

Step ane

With the 0.2 ink liner, I create the primary contours.

To make the cartoon more interesting, I use a dotted line in add-on to a traditional continuous outline.

Step two

I add dots to the sides of the octopus, using the 0.ii ink liner. I also darken the pupils and marker the darker places of the effigy.

Creating the main details and the texture

Step 3

With the 0.one ink liner, I add a layer of dots to the drawing.

Step 4

I add together dots to the back arms of the octopus, using the 0.1 ink liner. To create the core shadows of the arms, y'all tin place dots closer to each other.

Step 5

I outline the suckers, using the 0.05 liner, and as well add dots to the eyes to make them more three-dimensional.

Stride half dozen

With the 0.2 liner, I add some other layer of dots to the sides of the octopus, giving the cartoon more contrast and making it more three-dimensional.

I create a design of the pare, applying the groups of dots to the caput and arms. Approximately five dots per group is the way to go.

Increasing the contrast and creating the pattern

Pace 7

I brand the contours of the cartoon a bit thicker, using the 0.2 ink liner.

Stride 8

The ink cartoon is complete!

As a finishing affect, I employ pencil hatches to the sides of the octopus, creating soft transitions from shadow to light. This combination of artistic techniques makes the drawing more unique and interesting.