Manatee Drawing Tutorial - How to draw Manatee step by step

Manatee Drawing

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1. Learn to Draw a Friendly Manatee in 8 Easy Steps

Today, drawing123.com will guide you how to easily draw a manatee with simple steps.

Let’s get started!

Step 1: Draw the Muzzle

Start by drawing a circular shape for the top of the head and the beginning of the muzzle. Add a curving line underneath to represent the bottom lip and chin area.

Step 2: Begin the Body Outline

From the bottom of the muzzle, draw a long, gentle, downward curve that will form the front-underside of the manatee’s body.

Step 3: Complete the Main Body Shape

Connect the initial circular shape and the curve from Step 2 with a large, smooth, rounded line to complete the outline of the head and body. Sketch the line for the tail flipper, which should be broad and rounded.

Step 4: Add the Front Flipper (Near Side)

Draw a small, curved, teardrop-like shape on the front-underside of the body to create the first front flipper.

Step 5: Add the Back Flipper (Far Side)

Draw a larger, similarly shaped teardrop further back on the body to represent the second front flipper. Add a couple of small curved lines above it to indicate wrinkles or folds.

Step 6: Draw the Eyes

Add the eyes on the top part of the muzzle. Draw two circles with smaller circles inside for the pupils, and add some curved lines above them for the eyelids or eyebrows.

Step 7: Add the Nostrils

Draw two small, slightly curved shapes on the front of the muzzle to create the nostrils.

Step 8: Finalize the Drawing with Color

Go over all the lines to solidify the drawing and then color the manatee a light blue or gray, and color the eyes black and white.

2. Kid-Friendly Manatee Drawing Lesson

Step 1: Draw the Main Body Outline

Draw a single, large, rounded, and slightly bean-shaped outline for the manatee’s body. The bottom should taper down to a small, rounded tail flipper.

Step 2: Draw the First Flipper (Left)

Inside the main body shape, draw a smooth, curving shape on the lower left side to represent the manatee’s left flipper.

Step 3: Draw the Second Flipper (Right)

Draw a corresponding, slightly curved, mirrored shape on the lower right side to create the right flipper.

Step 4: Define the Flipper Overlap

Add two small, angled lines where the flippers meet in the center. These lines indicate that the flippers are slightly overlapping or held close together.

Step 5: Draw the Muzzle Area

Draw a large, organic, slightly heart-shaped line near the top of the body outline to define the manatee’s face and broad, fleshy muzzle.

Step 6: Add Facial Features

Inside the muzzle shape, draw two small circles for the nostrils and an inward-pointing curve at the bottom for the mouth/chin. Above the muzzle, add two small, half-circle/oval shapes for the eyes.

Step 7: Finalize the Drawing with Color

Go over all the lines to complete the outline. Then, color the manatee a dark gray or brownish-gray for a finished look.

3. How to Draw a Cute Manatee for Kids

Step 1: Start with the Head

Begin by drawing a large half-circle for the top of the manatee’s head.

Step 2: Add Neck Folds

Draw a small, inwardly curving line on each side where the head will meet the body. These lines suggest the folds of skin at the neck/shoulders.

Step 3: Outline the Torso

Draw two long, smooth, curving lines extending down from the neck folds to form the main body/torso of the manatee.

Step 4: Add the Tail

Connect the bottom of the torso lines and add a distinct, small, rounded shape for the tail flipper. This completes the main body outline.

Step 5: Draw the Muzzle and and Nostrils

In the center of the head, draw a shape resembling a slightly downturned heart or butterfly for the muzzle. Add two small downward curves above it for the manatee’s nostrils.

Step 6: Add Eyes

Draw two small, rounded ovals on the sides of the muzzle to represent eyes.

Step 7: Outline the Flippers

Draw two parallel, slightly curved lines inside the torso area on the left and right sides. These outlines will form the main part of the flippers.

Step 8: Draw the Shell

In the space between the flipper lines, draw a scallop shell. This consists of a small base and several radiating, curved, ridged lines above it. The shell should appear to be held by the flippers.

Step 9: Color the Drawing

Complete the drawing by coloring the manatee a dark blue or gray, and the shell a contrasting color like light blue, and color the cheeks/eyes black.

4. Step-by-Step Guide: Draw a Happy Cartoon Manatee

Step 1: Start with the Muzzle and Smile

Begin by drawing a rounded, bulbous shape for the muzzle/snout, which includes a small downward curve in the center for the mouth and a larger upward curve on the right for a smile.

Step 2: Draw the Eyes

Draw two large, expressive eyes above the muzzle. Use circles and curved lines to give them a slightly eager or happy expression, and include small pupils and highlights.

Step 3: Add the Nostrils

Draw two small, curving lines on the top of the muzzle to form the nostrils.

Step 4: Outline the Head

Draw a smooth, rounded line connecting the tops of the eyes and continuing back to form the top of the head. Add a few small curves behind the head line to indicate skin folds.

Step 5: Begin the Body Line

From the end of the smile, draw a straight or slightly downward curving line to start the underside of the body.

Step 6: Add the First Flipper (Near Side)

Draw a small, rounded, oval shape hanging down from the body line just behind the chin to create the first front flipper.

Step 7: Add the Second Flipper (Far Side)

Further back on the body line, draw a larger, more rounded, teardrop-like shape for the second front flipper. Add two small curves above it to indicate skin folds/wrinkles.

Step 8: Complete the Body and Tail

Draw a long, smooth curve connecting the head to the body outline, and then shape the rest of the body, curving down to a broad, rounded tail flipper.

Step 9: Color the Manatee

Go over all the lines and add detail to the eyes. Finally, color the manatee a soft blue or light gray for a finished cartoon look.

5. Easy Manatee Drawing Tutorial for Children

Step 1: Draw the Muzzle

Start by drawing a rounded shape for the muzzle (snout) and an inward-curving line below it for the mouth/chin area.

Step 2: Outline the Head

Connect the top of the muzzle with a long, smooth, rounded line to form the rest of the head. Add a small curve under the muzzle to connect the front to the neck.

Step 3: Begin the Flipper Lines

From the base of the chin/neck area, draw a small, diagonal line curving slightly down. This starts the outline for the first front flipper.

Step 4: Draw the First Flipper (Near Side)

Complete the first flipper by drawing a long, narrow, rounded shape extending down from the neck. This flipper is hanging down.

Step 5: Draw the Second Flipper (Far Side)

Draw a second, slightly longer and more narrow flipper shape next to the first one, adding two small lines at the top to indicate its connection to the shoulder/body. This flipper is positioned slightly behind the first.

Step 6: Complete the Body and Tail Outline

Draw a single, long, smooth curve extending from the back of the head, going down and slightly back to form the body and tail. The tail should taper slightly before flaring out into a broad, rounded flipper.

Step 7: Add Facial Details

Draw a large, stylized eye above the muzzle. Draw small, horizontal oval shapes on the muzzle for the nostrils.

Step 8: Color the Drawing

Go over all the lines to finalize the drawing. Then, color the manatee a solid shade of purple-gray or dark blue-gray.

Hopefully, this drawing tutorial on Manatee will help you easily create a cute drawing.