How to Draw Octopus — Free Practice Sheets

Drawing an octopus is easier when you break it into a few clear shapes: a bulbous head, two large eyes, and eight curling arms. This page explains the features that make an octopus recognizable and shows how to practise them with tracing, grid, and partial-outline sheets. The goal is not a pixel-perfect copy but a drawing that keeps the key proportions and details visible.

Start with the mantle and eyes

Begin with the largest shape: a broad oval for the head and mantle. Keep it rounded and slightly wider at the top, because the mantle is the bulky part above the arms. Place two large circular eyes on the lower front of the head, close together and clearly visible. Each eye gets a dark pupil, which gives the face its character. Draw lightly at first so you can adjust the oval and eye positions before committing to darker lines.

1. Draw a large oval for the bulbous head and mantle.
2. Add two large circular eyes with dark pupils on the lower front of the head.

Add eight curling arms

From the base of the head, draw eight arms radiating outward and downward. Use curved lines so each arm curls rather than sitting straight. Vary the direction and length slightly so the arms look lively, but keep all eight visible and attached to the base. Work around the head in order so you do not lose count. If an arm crosses another, draw the nearer arm last so the overlap reads clearly.

1. Draw eight curling arms radiating outward and downward from the base of the head, using curved lines.
2. Check that each arm connects to the base and that all eight are present.

Suckers and final outline

Add small circular suckers along the inner curves of each arm, then outline the arm edges. Suckers sit on the side of the arm that faces inward, so follow the curve rather than scattering dots randomly. Keep them small and evenly spaced. Finally, strengthen the outer contour of the head and arms. A clean outline helps the drawing read at a glance, and the suckers confirm the octopus identity.

1. Add small circular suckers along the inner curves of each arm.
2. Outline the arm edges and strengthen the main contour.

Using the practice sheets

The trace sheet asks you to follow the reference outline, then repeat the contour independently. The grid sheet asks you to copy the reference onto a blank grid using matching intersections. The frame sheet uses a bounding frame and center guide to place the silhouette before adding details. The partial sheet asks you to complete the blank right-hand portion from the full reference. In every case, compare your drawing with the separate full reference sheet and check the visible features and proportions rather than exact matching.

1. Trace the reference outline, then practise the contour independently.
2. Copy the reference onto the blank grid using matching grid intersections.
3. Use the bounding frame and center guide to place the silhouette, then add the identifying details.
4. Complete the blank right-hand portion using the full reference.

Worked example

Prompt: Trace the reference outline, then practise the contour independently. Compare with the separate full reference sheet. Example solution: preserve bulbous rounded head/mantle, two large round eyes on the front of the head, multiple curling arms with visible suckers along the inner edges. Other drawings can be correct; assess the visible features and proportions rather than pixel-perfect matching.

1. Draw a large oval for the bulbous head/mantle.
2. Add two large circular eyes with dark pupils on the lower front of the head.
3. Draw eight curling arms radiating outward and downward from the base of the head, using curved lines.
4. Add small circular suckers along the inner curves of each arm and outline the arm edges.

Check your work

• The head and mantle form a rounded, bulbous shape.
• Two large circular eyes with dark pupils sit on the lower front of the head.
• Eight curling arms radiate from the base of the head.
• Small circular suckers appear along the inner curves of the arms.
• The outer contour of the head and arms is clearly outlined.

Worked example

octopus: Trace the reference outline, then practise the contour independently. Compare with the separate full reference sheet.

Common mistakes

• Drawing straight arms that stick out like spokes. Curve each arm and let it bend or curl at the tip so the arm reads as flexible.
• Placing suckers on the outer edge of the arms. Move the small circles to the inner curve of each arm, following the bend.
• Losing count and drawing fewer or more than eight arms. Work around the base in order and tick off each arm as you finish it.

Questions and answers