Drawing Sea TurtlesArt Lesson

Goal 1: The learner will develop critical and creative thinking skills and perceptual awareness necessary for understanding and producing art.Objective 1.02. Create work which approaches a higher level of realism.

Photos Of Sea TurtlesNo two turtles are exactly alike, and so your drawings should not all look exactly

alike.

More Sea Turtles

SKETCH BOOK INSTRUCTIONS

1. Take out your sketch book.2. Start on the second page.3. Write today’s date in pencil on

the top right hand corner.4. Title your page at the top

center “Sea Turtle”5. Follow the step by step

instructions.

Step 1The Upper Shell

The sea turtle’s upper shell (or carapace) is fairly smooth and flat. This shape allows the turtle to glide through the water.The shell is actually part of the turtle’s skeleton. The turtle’s backbone and its shell are fused together.

Step 2 The Outer Edge of the Shell

Make a little U-shaped notch where the head will be and then swoop down and up to join the line at the back.Remember that all sea turtle shells are not exactly the same. Don’t spend too much time trying to make this perfect. The class’s pictures will look a lot more authentic if there is some variety in the final products.

Step 3The Head

See how the front of the head is almost straight up and down. This pointy part forms the turtle’s beak. A sea turtle often bites through crustacean shells. Its hard, powerful beak is perfect for the job.

Step 4The Beak and Front Flapper

Draw a straight line for the turtle’s beak. Then, draw the front side of the front flipper.

Step 5 The Flippers

Finish the front flipper, then draw the back one. Of course, sea turtles have four flippers, but in this side view, we can see only two. These flippers are very different from a land turtle’s feet and stocky legs. When sea turtles swim, they flap their front flippers up and down like wings. They can swim very fast; but have difficulty moving on land. They stay in the ocean their entire lives. The female sea turtles come on shore only to lay their eggs.

Step 6Filling In The Shell

Draw a border around the shell. Notice how it seems to get thinner as it goes towards the back.

Step 7Scutes

A turtle’s shell is covered with scutes. These are hard, flat scales. The turtle regularly sheds scutes as it grows. The turtle grows bigger scutes to replace the smaller ones — in much the same way that a snake sheds its skin.

Step 8More Scutes and Scales

Draw more scutes on the shell. Turtles are reptiles and reptiles have scaly skin. Add some scales to his neck, head and legs.

Last StepFinish The Drawing

To complete the drawing, color and add detail. Turtles aren’t all green! Loggerheads are reddish-brown and yellow. Ridleys are yellow and gray, and leatherbacks are brown and black.