In this free art lesson, you'll learn how to draw a Stingray step-by-step.

 

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All of the tutorials on How2DrawAnimals.com are good drawing tutorials for beginners and experienced artists alike. The online tutorials are easy to follow; they teach you the how to draw basics while showing you how to draw animals step by step. Each animal has a video drawing tutorial option, as well as step-by-step photos and written text to follow.

 

 

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To draw this Stingray step by step, follow along with the video tutorial below and pause the video after each step to draw at your own pace. You may find it easier to follow the step-by-step drawings below the video. The new lines in each step are shown in red, so you'll know exactly what to draw next. You may want to open the video in a new tab and use both drawing methods. Take your time and draw at your own pace.

 

The Written step-by-step video tutorial:

 

For the first few steps, don't press down too hard with your pencil. Use light, smooth strokes to begin.

 

Step 1: Draw a big circle as a guide for the main part of the stingray's body. First make four small marks to indicate the circle's height and width. Then connect the marks using curved lines. Sketch lightly so that it's easy to erase if you make a mistake. If you're struggling to draw the circle, just trace the outer rim of a small, circular object like a coin or a lid. For a more detailed guide on the different ways to draw a circle check out this tutorial: Four simple ways to draw a circle.

 

Step 2: Starting at the bottom of the circle, draw a line that slopes to the right for the first part of the head. Draw a curved line from the top of the circle to the end of the first line to complete the guide for the stingray's head.

Step 3: Draw a line that starts at the bottom of the circle and then slopes to the left as a guide for the first wing. On the left, draw a vertical line that tilts to the right slightly for the side of the wing. Draw another sloping line at the top to finish the guide for the stingray's wing. The whole shape should be similar to a triangle.

 

Step 4: At the top, draw a line that connects the circle to the wing to form the guide for the rest of the stingray's body.

 

 

Step 5: On the top, right side, draw an angled line as a guide for the stingray's other wing. The resulting shape should be similar to a triangle.

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Step 6: On the top, left side of the body, draw a long, horizontal line as a guide for the stingray's tail.

 

That's it for the guides! From this point on, press harder with your pencil for a more defined drawing.

Step 7: Inside the circle, on the top, right side, draw a small oval for the eye. Sketch lightly at first. When you get the shape and position of the stingray's eye right, darken the lines. Inside, draw a small slit for the pupil. Draw a couple of curved lines under the eye to give the head structure.

 

Step 8: To the left of the eye, draw a couple of curved lines for the respiratory opening called a spiracle. The stingray's spiracle should be bigger than the whole shape of the eye.

 

 

Step 9: Draw a curved line above the eye to create a thick brow. Darken the guides at the top to create the brow for the eye on the other side of the stingray's head. Follow the curvature of the guide and give the line an extra bump to emphasize the thick brow.

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Step 10: Darken the front part of the guides but make the lines a bit curvier and the tip a bit pointier.

 

Step 11: Use the sloping line on the left as a guide to draw the first part of the wing. Follow the path of the guide but make the line curve more and dip lower at the bottom. Add a shorter line at the top to give the edge of the stingray's wing extra thickness.

Step 12: Use the guides to draw the side and bottom of the wing but curve the lines more. The bottom of the stingray's wing should curve up higher than the guide and create a folded appearance.

 

Step 13: Use the triangular shape at the top as a guide to draw the stingray's other wing. Darken the basic path of the guides but curve the lines more for a more organic shape.

 

 

Step 14: Use the lines at the top as guides to draw the rest of the stingray's body. Add an extra line at the top for a ridge. On the left side, draw a curved line for a fin.

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Step 15: Use the line at the top as a guide to draw the tail. Draw the shape of the tail around the guide. Make the base thick and the tip pointy. On the top edge of the tail, draw a short, thin, pointy shape for the stinging spine. Add a couple more curved lines to the stingray's tail for the other fins.

Step 16: For a cleaner look, erase as much as you can of the initial guide lines. Don't worry about erasing all of the guides. It's okay to leave some behind. Re-draw any final sketch lines you may have accidentally erased.

 

 

Final Step: Add some shading to your stingray drawing for extra detail. Some stingrays have patterns on their bodies, but for a common stingray like this one, just add an even medium value all over. Shade lightly at first and slowly build up to a medium or darker value. Vary the pressure on your pencil to get different degrees of tonal value. Don't shade the inside of the eye. Shading can be time-consuming, so be patient and take breaks. For a more detailed guide on how to shade, check out this tutorial: How to shade.

Use a lighter value to shade the underside of the stingray's wing. Use a darker value around the head and along the edges to give the body more structure. It's a good idea to use reference as you draw for a more accurate stingray drawing. Continue to gradually add a darker value throughout the body until you're happy with the result. Don't forget to pause the video after each step to draw a your own pace.

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