How to Draw a Betta Fish

Time needed: 30 minutes

How to Draw a Betta Fish

1. Begin by lightly drawing the main shape of the betta fish. When I teach kids how to draw a betta fish, I often compare the body to an almond or a stretched oval with slightly pointed ends. Also, don’t forget to keep your pencil lines light so you can adjust the proportions if needed.

2. Next, sketch a small round eye slightly forward on the head. Then add a short curved line for the mouth, giving the fish a gentle expression. When you illustrate a betta fish, the eye placement is important — too far back and it will look off-balance, too far forward and it may look crowded near the mouth. I often encourage students to look at reference photos of real bettas to see how their eyes seem to shine. Adding just these two details starts to bring the drawing to life, even without the fins. Keep the shapes simple — the eye should be a clean circle, and the mouth a smooth, curved line. If you want a softer look, make the mouth curve upward slightly. This step adds character to your betta fish sketch without making it overly complicated.

3. Now, draw the curved gill cover just behind the eye, and then add the short pectoral fin base. When you sketch a betta fish, these small features help define the head from the rest of the body. The gill cover should curve gently backward, following the shape of the body, and the pectoral fin base can be a small, rounded triangle or teardrop shape. In my own classes, I point out that fish anatomy details like these are what make an illustration feel more authentic. They don’t have to be perfect, but they should be placed thoughtfully. If you want your betta drawing to look lively, angle the fin slightly outward so it feels ready to move. These elements may seem small, but they lay the groundwork for adding the large, flowing fins that make a betta fish so striking.

4. From the top of the body, sketch the dorsal fin rising upward and curving back toward the tail. For a betta fish drawing, the dorsal fin should be wide and flowing, with a gently wavy edge. I often tell my students to imagine it as a piece of fabric being lifted in water — not stiff, but gently moving. Keep the base of the fin connected smoothly to the fish’s back. This fin is one of the features that gives bettas their elegant look, so take your time with its shape. Avoid making it too small, as it should balance visually with the tail and other fins you’ll add later. You don’t need to add fin rays yet; focus only on the overall shape and flow. This dorsal fin will help frame the top of your betta illustration beautifully once the details are added.

5. Now, draw the large, flowing tail fin extending from the back of the fish. A betta fish tail is one of its most beautiful features, often wider than the body itself. When I show students how to draw a betta fish tail, I suggest starting with a big, wavy outline, almost like a soft piece of cloth. The edges can curve in and out slightly to give a natural look. Keep the fin connected firmly at the tail base so it feels attached and strong. Avoid making the tail too short — the long, dramatic tail is what makes bettas stand out. This step adds a lot of personality to your drawing, so take time to get a graceful shape. The tail should flow naturally with the body’s curve, creating movement even in a still illustration.

6. Below the body, sketch the bottom fin starting just behind the belly and extending toward the tail. I often advise students to angle it slightly backward, as if it’s drifting in water, so you can do the same to illustrate the movement of the fish.

7. Under the head area, draw two long, narrow pelvic fins flowing downward. These should be thinner than the other fins but still gently curved. When you sketch a betta fish, keep in mind that the pelvic fins should act like small ribbons near the front of the body.

8. Go back to each fin and add long, curved lines from the base to the edge to represent the fin rays. In a betta fish illustration, these lines should follow the flow of the fins, helping them look more realistic. Keep your pencil pressure light so the lines don’t overpower the outline.

9. These fish come in many vibrant shades – reds, blues, purples, and even multi-colored patterns. In this example, the body and fins are a bright red, but you can choose any color combination you like. I recommend keeping the fin colors rich and consistent to show off their beauty.