Animals · A drawing idea for little artists
How to draw an axolotl: C-shaped body and wavy tail fin
Draw a broad oval toward the left. Leave more room on the right and below it for the body to curl back toward the face.
For iPad & iPhone · In-app purchases
These 3 pictures show selected moments from the drawing. For every step in between and a guide on your canvas, get the full lesson in LittlePaper.
What you will learn
Learn to construct axolotl using a C-shaped body and wavy tail fin. Trace the outer back and inner belly separately with your finger. Widen the gap beneath the feet before adding fin details; leave the head wider than the nearby neck.
Shapes and proportions
Draw a broad oval toward the left. Leave more room on the right and below it for the body to curl back toward the face. Carry one long curve from behind the head around the back, then bring a shorter inside curve toward the belly. Keep a visible opening between the short legs and the returning tail. Add the smile, paired leaf-shaped gills and a wavy fin along the tail tip.
A common mistake
If the inside bend is squeezed shut, the tail merges with the legs and the curled pose becomes hard to read.
How to fix it
Trace the outer back and inner belly separately with your finger. Widen the gap beneath the feet before adding fin details; leave the head wider than the nearby neck.
Draw a broad oval toward the left.
These three pictures show selected stages, not every intermediate step. The full drawing sequence is available in the named LittlePaper drawing idea.
A few things to start with
Paper, a pencil, eraser, black drawing pen and crayons. Use light guide lines before the final outline.
A little peek at the drawing
1 / 3
Selected stages · The complete drawing sequence is in the app.
Shapes, character & color
A look at the drawing stages.
Try the shape tips below on paper. When you’re ready to draw along with each small step, continue in LittlePaper.
- 01Selected stage
Plan the starting shapes
Draw a broad oval toward the left. Leave more room on the right and below it for the body to curl back toward the face.
Plan the starting shapes · Preview image 1 of 3 - 02Selected stage
Complete the distinct outline
Carry one long curve from behind the head around the back, then bring a shorter inside curve toward the belly. Keep a visible opening between the short legs and the returning tail. Add the smile, paired leaf-shaped gills and a wavy fin along the tail tip. Trace the outer back and inner belly separately with your finger. Widen the gap beneath the feet before adding fin details; leave the head wider than the nearby neck.
Complete the distinct outline · Preview image 2 of 3 - 03Selected stage
Add balanced crayon colors
Use coral pink for the head, body and all feet, berry pink for both gill fans, and peach for the tail fin. Keep the eye highlights light and the gap inside the curl transparent.
Add balanced crayon colors · Preview image 3 of 3
The next little step is yours
Like the idea?
Let’s make it together.
Open the “Smiling Curled-Tail Axolotl” drawing idea in LittlePaper for the complete sequence. Follow a guide, pause when you need, and add your own colors.
Download LittlePaper from the App Store, then open the drawing idea inside the app.
Every step, at your pace.
See the full drawing sequence. Pause, replay, and take another look whenever a shape needs practice.
A guide where you draw.
Trace on the canvas, then try your own lines with a finger or Apple Pencil on a compatible iPad.
Make it yours. Keep the making.
Add crayon color, replay your creation, and give your picture a home in a digital 3D book.
