Are you a big fan of marine creatures? Do you like crabs? These are fun, interesting and easy to draw animals. Both experienced and amateur artists can enjoy spending time portraying such crustaceans by following the instructions in this article. Make designs to throw a pool party or just for fun. Read on to learn!
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Draw a Simple Crab
Step 1. Prepare the work area
Find a well-lit space where you can gather all the materials. To follow the instructions in this article you will need:
- A sheet of paper, card, or sketchbook
- A pencil;
- A rubber;
- A pair of scissors (optional);
- Markers, colored pencils or crayons (optional).
Step 2. Draw a medium sized oval shape, with the longest horizontal axis in the center of the paper
Make sure you have plenty of space above, below and to the sides of the shape.
You can trace it in one fluid motion or by drawing two opposite "Cs" that join
Step 3. Add the eyes and antennae
Crabs have two small eyes from which thin antennae protrude as if they were eyebrows; you have to draw these elements above the oval, more or less in the midpoint.
- Find the center of the shape and draw two small circles close together, so that they lie on the top line. Distance them enough so that they are clearly two distinct elements; you can also color them completely with pencil or black marker.
- Add a short line above each circle that pokes up and out from the inside of the eye; this means that the antennas should cross over each other in the center leaving the eyes out.
Step 4. Draw the claws
This is a three-step process. Trace another small oval on top of the first one, taking care to place it on the outer edge, rather at the top; create one of these shapes on either side of the crab. If you have trouble making them the same size, don't worry, some species have one claw larger than the other.
- Draw another larger oval on top of each of the ones drawn earlier; make sure to tilt it inwards towards the eyes. These two elements should point towards each other, as well as upwards.
- Add the "pliers". To draw them, place the pencil on top of the second oval and draw a short curved segment upwards; end the line with a tip and bring the pencil back to the center of the oval.
- From here draw another (shorter) curved line in the direction of the first (as if you wanted to make a circle); complete it with a point before going back to the base of the oval.
Step 5. Make the legs
The crab has three limbs on each side which are all located below the claws. Place the first one just below the claw by drawing a crescent facing upwards and aligned with the direction of the claw itself; repeat the same sequence on the opposite side.
- Trace another paw directly above the first one. Always give it the shape of a crescent directed upwards; also draw the second paw on the other side.
- Draw the last limb just below the second, but this time tilt it down; also for this stage, repeat the process on the opposite side.
Step 6. Finish the crab
Depending on the purpose for which you designed it, there are different methods for finishing your work. You could color the creature, cut it out and turn it into a decoration for a marine-themed party; you can also add an underwater background by drawing a forest of seaweed or sea otters around the crab. The important thing is having fun!
Method 2 of 2: Draw a Realistic Crab
Step 1. Start with the body
Draw a diamond for the carapace. Add the legs by drawing eight lines on the bottom half of the rhombus and two lines for the claws on the top half.
Step 2. Create the shape of the crab
The carapace is rough and full of points along the whole edge; take the pencil and draw some ridges and irregularities on the shell of the animal.
Step 3. Add thickness to the claws
Make sure they look strong; each of these is composed of elements of different shapes; you can create "pliers" with half-moons facing each other.
- You can also start from a rectangle connected to the perimeter of the rhombus; then draw a small circle just above the quadrilateral and then the two crescents facing each other.
- After this phase, you can dedicate yourself to the legs it uses for walking and the last ones it uses while swimming.
Step 4. Make sure they are all pointed
Trace the edges of the claws and legs as you did for the body, making them rough and sharp; to do this, draw small points and ridges.
Make two small eyes on the top of the head and two short antennae; now you can erase the reference lines you drew in the first step
Advice
- Be patient, drawing is not always a simple art; the most important thing is to have fun. The crab does not have to be perfectly uniform; if it is slightly asymmetrical, it is even more realistic. You can also draw one claw that is much larger than the other, so you don't have to worry.
- Use a pencil and apply a little pressure to be able to erase the lines more easily, should you need to.
- Add some wide eyes and use pipe cleaners to create the antennae and make the character really funny.
- Draw slowly and think about what you are doing even before putting down the pencil.
