Last Updated on May 3, 2026 by Masha Eretnova
Kids who say they “can’t draw” change their mind fast with directed drawing. Instead of staring at a blank page, they follow numbered steps that break each animal down into simple shapes, and by the end, they’ve drawn a cute ocean animal!
This pack includes 9 ocean animal directed drawing sheets. Each page walks kids through 6 illustrated steps, then gives them their own blank box to try it themselves. Download it free below.
What’s in the Pack
The nine animals are:
- a jellyfish,
- seal,
- stingray,
- turtle,
- octopus,
- fish,
- crab,
- starfish, and
- puffer fish.
Every sheet follows the same format: six numbered panels showing the drawing building step by step on the left, and a large “Your Turn” practice box with a small colored reference image on the right. Kids can use the reference to add color once the drawing is done.
The designs are cartoon-style and stinking cute!!
The jellyfish and starfish are among the simplest. The stingray, crab, and puffer fish are slightly more detailed but still very manageable.
What Age Is This For?
These sheets work well for kids aged 4 and up.
Preschoolers can follow along with a parent pointing to each step. Kids aged 5 to 8 can work through most animals independently.
Older kids and even adults who want to practice drawing from scratch will find them a satisfying starting point, but it may seem too simple for them.
What You’ll Need
- The free printable PDF (9 sheets, download link below)
- A pencil for the initial drawing steps
- A black marker or fine-tip pen to go over the final lines (optional but gives a cleaner look)
- Crayons, colored pencils, or markers for coloring the finished drawing
- A printer, black and white ink is fine
No special supplies needed. Each sheet works as both the instruction guide and the practice page.
How to Use the Sheets
Step 1: Print the sheet for the animal you want to draw
Print one page at a time or the full set at once. Black and white printing works perfectly. Each page is self-contained.
Step 2: Look at all 6 steps before picking up a pencil
Spend 30 seconds scanning all six panels from start to finish. This gives kids a mental map of where the drawing is going, which reduces frustration mid-way through.
Step 3: Work through each numbered panel one at a time
Start with Step 1 and draw only what’s shown in that panel in the “Your Turn” box. Move to Step 2 and add only the new elements shown. Each step adds one or two details to what came before, so kids are never trying to do too much at once.
Step 4: Add the details from the final panel
The last step on each sheet adds the finishing touches — texture on the stingray’s body, dots on the puffer fish, legs on the crab. These details are what make the drawing look complete. Encourage kids to take their time here.
Step 5: Trace over the pencil lines with a marker
This is optional but satisfying. Going over the final pencil drawing with a thin black marker makes the lines crisp and clean before coloring. Kids can erase any stray pencil marks underneath once the ink is dry.
Step 6: Color using the reference image in the corner
Each sheet has a small colored version of the finished animal in the bottom corner of the “Your Turn” box. Kids can match those colors or choose their own. Both approaches work.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of It
Do one animal per sitting rather than rushing through the full set. The quality of the drawing improves significantly when kids take their time on each step instead of racing to the next sheet.
These sheets also work well in groups. Give a table of kids the same animal sheet and compare the results at the end. Every drawing looks different even when following identical steps, which is a good lesson in itself.
If a child gets frustrated mid-drawing, remind them to look only at the current step panel, not the finished result. The point of directed drawing is that the steps do the work.
Get the Free Printable
Download all 9 ocean animal directed drawing sheets free by entering your email below.
Masha Eretnova, born in 1991, is a Buenos Aires-based certified teacher, artist, and member of the Professional Artist Association with 20+ years of personal painting journey.
She started painting and drawing very early and is now an international abstract artist and educator passionate about acrylic painting, gouache, and crafts.
Her works are part of international exhibitions and contests, including ArtlyMix (Brazil), Al-Tiba 9 (Spain), Exhibizone (Canada), Italy, and many more.
Besides her artistic pursuits, Masha holds a post-grad diploma in Teaching Film Photography and 2 music school diplomas: piano and opera singing.