GRID STEP. You can print out the base construction lines and start drawing on tracing paper, or you can draw the grid layout yourself using the following steps.1) Draw a rectangle that will define the conditional proportions and boundaries of the chosen drawing. 2) From the middle of the rectangle, draw one vertical and one horizontal line equally dividing the shape. 3) Draw another horizontal line equally dividing the upper half of the rectangle. Similarly, draw a horizontal line equally dividing the bottom half of the rectangle. 4) Draw a vertical line equally dividing the left half of the rectangle. Similarly, draw a vertical line equally dividing the right half of the rectangle.

STEP 1. Mark off the width and height of the picture. Draw two ovals for the sea otter’s head and body, and a line through the centre of its head.

STEP 2. Draw the shapes of the sea otter’s body and neck. Using a smooth line, define the tail.

STEP 3. Add guidelines for the legs and forelegs, and the proportions of the sea otter’s head.

STEP 4. Outline the shapes of all four legs and the nose.

STEP 5. Add the sea otter’s tail, toes, nose, ears, and eyes.

STEP 6. Work on the whole figure, paying special attention to detail.

STEP 7. Contour, trying to vary the thickness and darkness of the line. Draw the details carefully, and add the water. Erase all the guidelines.