How to Draw an Octopus?

Here’s a step by step process on how to draw an octopus.

Note: This is a digital drawing which I have made on Ibis Paint X. However you can replicate this drawing in any app or paper as well.

Step 1: Draw the Head and Body

Begin by drawing a large, rounded shape for the octopus’s head. Curve the sides gently inward as they move downward, then create a soft, wavy edge along the bottom. Keep your lines smooth and simple. This basic shape will form the head and central body of your octopus.

Step 2: Add the Eyes

Draw two large circular eyes near the lower half of the head, leaving some space between them. Add a smaller dark circle inside each eye for the pupils, along with a tiny white highlight. Try to keep both eyes similar in size so the octopus has a cute, friendly expression.

Step 3: Draw the First Four Tentacles

From the lower sides of the body, draw four long, curved tentacles extending outward. Give each tentacle a flowing, wavy shape and gently curl the ends upward or inward. Make the tentacles thicker where they connect to the body and gradually narrower toward their tips for a natural appearance.

Step 4: Add Four More Tentacles

Now draw four additional tentacles in the spaces between the first ones, giving your octopus a total of eight arms. Curve each tentacle in a slightly different direction to make the pose more interesting. Avoid making them perfectly identical, and allow some tips to curl more dramatically than others.

Step 5: Add Suction Cups and Details

Draw rows of small oval or circular suction cups along the inner edges of the tentacles. Keep them larger near the body and slightly smaller toward the tips. Add a few small oval markings on the head and arms for texture. These simple details give the octopus much more character.

Step 6: Add Color and Shading

Finish your octopus by coloring the body and tentacles with your favorite shade, such as pink, purple, orange, or red. Add darker shading along the edges and beneath overlapping tentacles to create depth. Use lighter areas for highlights, then add optional bubbles or a soft water shadow around the octopus.