Octopuses are ocean creatures that are most famous for having eight arms and bulbous heads. Use different pencil pressures to create values that will keep this octopus from looking flat.
Step 1: Start with a circle shape for the head. Add curved lines for legs coming from it. Make sure they overlap in some areas.
Step 2: Add lines for head details. “Thicken” the swirly leg lines by following the contour of them with line, tapering them to a point at the ends.
Step 3: Add eye details and a few lines to separate the leg sections to show where some texture will be.
Step 4: Add a layer of tone to the areas on the eye and under the head and on legs as shown. Notice the placement of the darker tones and the shadow under the eye bump on the right.
Step 5: Fill in the rest of the octopus with a lighter tone using a quick back-and-forth motion. Add darker tone under the eye and around the eye curves. Some of the legs should appear to be turning away from the light and have areas of shadow.
Extra time: Blend tones to smooth them. Add oval shapes for the suckers. Some can be on the outer edges of the leg and some can be within the leg.
