Madeleine Dube artist blog

How to Draw and Color a Realistic Oarfish using Colored Pencils - Regalecus glesne image

Post by Madeleine Dube

How to Draw Fishes

1. Trace an initial sketch with graphite pencils

Note the snake-like body shape. The oarfish is a ribbon-like fish with a flattened face. It has a long dorsal fin that is like long antennae close to the head and it also has ventral fins under the head that are long rays.

Sketch of an oarfish with graphite pencils — Graphite pencil sketch of the fish that gave rise to the myth of the Sea Serpent, the oarfish

2. Draw final contours with an ink pencil

When your sketch is complete, clean it up by drawing the final lines with an ink pencil. Once the ink is dry, erase the graphite lines from the sketch.

Black and white drawing of an oarfish — Ink drawing of an oarfish, contours traced on an initial sketch

3. Color the body in gray

The oarfish is an almost transparent fish. Apply a layer of light gray over the entire body, with areas of dark gray for shadows and skin folds. To create texture, you can add dark gray circles of different shapes and sizes.

Drawing of an oarfish with a transparent gray body — Begin coloring the oarfish by coloring the body light gray with areas of dark gray for volume and texture.

4. Add shades of blue-grey

To create depth and life to the gray body coloring, use a gray-blue pencil to add more pronounced gray accents on the deep shadow areas.

Drawing of an oarfish with gray-blue accents on the body — Add blue-grey to the oarfish body in areas with deeper shadows

5. Add yellow highlights to skin

The oarfish is not entirely gray, and yellow highlights can be seen on its body. Add a few shades of yellow on the face and in a few places along the body.

Drawing of an oarfish with yellow highlights on the body — Add yellow highlights to the body of the oarfish

6. Add red highlights to the body

The oarfish also has shades of red on the body. Add some on the face and along the body.

Drawing of an oarfish with red highlights on the body — Add red highlights to the body of the oarfish

7. Add skin texture details

Use a dark gray pencil to add spots and dots all along the body.

Drawing of an oarfish with gray spots and dots on the body — Add dark gray spots and dots all over the body

8. Color the fins red

The top of the dorsal fin is almost transparent. Color the fins red, using a gradient effect from top to bottom. The fin on the head has an almost transparent membrane - apply a thin layer of red for a transparent effect.

Drawing of an oarfish with red fins — Color the fins red, while maintaining a transparent effect for certain parts of the fins.

9. Add final shadows in black

Finalize the drawing by adding black shading and coloring the eye. Contours can be traced in black to bring out the fish's volume.

Drawing of an oarfish with black shadows — Finalize the regalec design with a black pencil, accentuating shadows and contours.