5 Steps to Draw a Beautiful Mermaid on a Rock

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 5 min read

Ever wondered how to bring a mermaid's enchanting world into your sketchbook? Well, you're in luck! This guide will walk you through the simple steps of creating a captivating mermaid on rock drawing. Grab your sketchbook, let your imagination run wild, and let's dive right in!

1. Get Your Materials Ready

Before we head into the whimsical underwater world of mermaids, it's important to prepare your arsenal of art supplies. Here are some things to consider:

Choose Your Sketch Paper

When crafting your mermaid on rock drawing, the canvas is just as important as the drawing itself. You'll want to opt for sketch paper that can handle a good amount of erasing and refining. Medium-weight paper with a slight texture is a great choice—it allows for layered coloring and adds depth to your drawing. Brands like Strathmore or Canson offer excellent options for this.

Pick the Right Drawing Tools

Next up, your drawing tools. A set of quality pencils is a must-have. For sketching, HB or 2B pencils work great, while 4B or 6B pencils are perfect for darkening your lines and adding shadows. You'll also need a good eraser—something that can cleanly remove pencil without damaging your paper. A kneaded eraser, popular among artists, is a perfect pick. And don't forget your colored pencils to bring your mermaid to life!

Set Up Your Workspace

Lastly, ensure your workspace is comfortable and well-lit. A good drawing space can greatly influence your work. If possible, try drawing near a window during daylight hours. The natural light will help you see the true colors of your pencils and prevent any unwanted eyestrain. Keep your materials organized within arm's reach so you can focus on your mermaid on rock drawing without any interruptions.

2. Sketch the Basic Structure

With your materials set and workspace ready, let's start crafting the basic structure of your mermaid on rock drawing. This foundational sketch will serve as your guide as you add more details and colors later on.

Draw the Mermaid's Body

Drawing a mermaid's body involves combining a human upper body with a fish-like lower body. Start by sketching a simple human body—head, torso, and arms. For the tail, imagine how a long, flowing skirt would look. The tail should start broad at the waist and taper down towards the end. Don't forget to add a fin at the end! At this stage, focus on getting the proportions right rather than aiming for perfect lines. You'll refine these later.

Outline the Rock

Next, let's create the rock for your mermaid to perch on. Start by sketching an irregular, rough oval shape—remember, rocks are rarely perfect in nature. The size of the rock should be proportionate to the mermaid—large enough for her to sit on comfortably. Place the rock under your mermaid sketch, adjusting the tail to make it look like she's sitting on it. This is a great way to start giving your mermaid on rock drawing a sense of depth and perspective.

3. Add Detail to Your Mermaid

Once you've nailed down the basic sketch of your mermaid on the rock, it's time to breathe life into her by adding details. These extra features will give your mermaid a unique personality and make your drawing more engaging.

Shape the Face and Hair

Starting with the face, draw two almond-shaped eyes, a simple nose, and a smiling mouth to bring out her enchanting personality. For her hair, let your imagination flow as freely as the ocean waves. Long, flowing locks can mimic the movement of water, while a bob or pixie cut can give your mermaid a modern twist.

Draw the Tail and Fins

Now, let's turn to the most iconic part of a mermaid — the tail. Define the shape of the tail and fins more precisely at this stage. Add scales to the tail for a realistic touch. Remember, it's your mermaid on rock drawing, so feel free to experiment with the shape and pattern of the tail and fins. You can draw a traditional dolphin-like tail or even a fancy, fan-shaped one — the choice is yours!

4. Color Your Drawing

Coloring is where the magic happens in your mermaid on rock drawing. It's like the sun breaking through the clouds — suddenly, everything is vibrant and full of life.

Select Your Color Palette

Before you start coloring, decide on a color palette. You might want to stick to the classic blues and greens for the mermaid tail and oceanic background. On the other hand, you could break away from tradition and choose a completely unique palette. Whatever you decide, make sure your colors complement each other and add depth to your drawing.

Apply Color to Your Drawing

Now, with your color choices in hand, it's time to apply them to your drawing. Start with the larger areas like the mermaid's tail and the rock. Gradually move to smaller details such as the mermaid's hair, eyes, and the scales on her tail. Remember to use a lighter hand for areas where the light hits and a heavier hand for shadowed areas. Also, don't forget to color in the background to complete your mermaid on rock drawing. It could be a serene ocean or a stunning sunset — you decide!

5. Polish Your Artwork

By now, your mermaid on rock drawing is taking shape beautifully. But are we done? Not quite! Like a diamond in the rough, your drawing needs a bit of polishing to truly shine. So let's smooth those rough edges and add the finishing touches.

Add Shading and Highlights

Shading and highlighting are like the salt and pepper of the art world; they enhance the flavors already present in your drawing. Adding shadows can give your mermaid and rock a sense of depth and three-dimensionality. Highlights, on the other hand, can give the illusion of light falling on certain parts of your drawing. So, grab your pencils, and start adding shades where the light doesn't reach and highlights where it does.

Finalize Your Artwork

Don't be too quick to put away your pencils. Your mermaid on rock drawing needs one last check. Look at your drawing from a distance. Does anything seem off? If yes, now is the time to fix it. Maybe the rock needs more texture or the mermaid's face needs a bit more detail. Once you're satisfied, sign your name in a corner, and voila! Your beautiful mermaid on rock drawing is finally complete. Give yourself a pat on the back — you've done a fantastic job.

If you're excited about drawing mermaids and want to learn even more techniques, be sure to check out Hope Christofferson's workshop, 'Making a Mermaid'. In this workshop, you'll dive deeper into the world of mermaid art and gain valuable skills to create your own stunning mermaid illustrations.