An octopus with eight gently curling arms

Practice a octopus with clear forms and selected overlaps. Sweep eight tapering arms outward. Keep most curls apart and use only a couple of clear overlaps. Place small eyes and a few broad suckers on visible undersides. Add gray only beneath the overlapping arms.

A way into the drawing

1. Round the mantle

   Draw a soft rounded mantle and mark the lower edge where the arms emerge. Leave space around it for the curls.

2. Plan eight distinct arms

   Sweep eight tapering arms outward. Keep most curls apart and use only a couple of clear overlaps.

3. Choose a few suckers

   Place small eyes and a few broad suckers on visible undersides. Add gray only beneath the overlapping arms.

A small thing to tryCount the arm tips before adding detail so every arm belongs to the same body.