How to Draw Fins

Fins can be used for anything from mermaids to barracudas to trout. Fins are pretty easy to draw, and there are an infinite variety of fins. Learn the basics of fin drawing before attempting more complex and colorful fins. After you master the techniques of this article, you can let your imagination go wild!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Drawing Pencil
• Drawing Paper
• Small Tortillion
• Tissue

Dolphin Tail Fin

1. 

   Draw a rounded triangle. This is your tail taper.

2. 

   Add two more rounded, slightly curved triangles to the tail taper as shown. Add a shadow-line at the bottom of the flipper part. At the top of the flippers, add indentation lines as shown.

3. 

   Add dark shadows where the indentations are; add shadows, and indicate a light source. Soften and blur lines with tortillion.

Fish or Mermaid Tail Fin

4. 

   Draw the rounded triangle as you did for the dolphin fin.

5. 

   Draw a wavy, large triangle. Draw wavy lines inside the tail as shown.

6. 

   Add dark shadows where the indentations are. Add shadows. Soften and blur lines with the toritllion. Blend all shading with a tissue.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to create a gauzy effect, run eraser over fin lightly.
• Don't rush through the drawing. Take your time to do it right!