How to Draw a Realistic Crab Step-by-Step

Crabs are fun marine animals to draw. With their iconic pincers and sideways walk, they make amusing cartoon characters. But drawing a realistic crab takes some practice. Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to draw a crab that looks like the real thing.

Start with the Basic Crab Shape

The body of a crab is round or oval, sort of like a sideways egg. To start your crab drawing, sketch a circle or oval shape. Make it a little wider than it is tall. This will be the main body of the crab.

Next, draw a smaller circle on the right side. This will be where the right claw connects to the body. Do the same on the left side for the left claw. Make sure to leave some space between the body and the claw circles.

Then draw two long ovals coming off the top of the body for the crab’s legs. Angle them so they point upward and outward. Crabs have five pairs of legs, but we’ll just draw two for simplicity.

Add the Eyes and Mouth

Crabs have eyes that sit on stalks on the front of their body. Draw two small circles for the eyes toward the front of the crab’s body. Then draw a curved line connecting them for the eye stalks.

Under the eyes, draw a sideways oval for the mouth You can add some small details like fangs if you want.

Draw the Pincers

Now it’s time to draw the iconic pincers. On each claw circle, draw an oval for the main part of the pincer. Then draw a longer oval for the pincer point.

Angle the pincers so they curve downward The one on the right should curve to the left, and the one on the left should curve to the right

Include Legs and Details

You can stop here if you want a simple cartoon crab. But add some legs and details to make it more realistic.

On the bottom of the body, draw four pairs of ovals for the remaining legs. Get them pointing in different directions.

Add some small oval segments on each leg to show joints And draw some curved lines on the body to indicate the shell segments

Ink and Color Your Crab Drawing

When your pencil sketch is done, go over the lines with ink. Use a pen or marker for clean lines.

You can leave your crab as line art, or add color with colored pencils, markers, or paint. Some good crab colors are red, orange, green, brown, grey, or a mix.

Shade the shell a bit darker and add highlights to make it look 3D and realistic.

Tips for Drawing Crabs

Here are some extra tips for drawing great looking crabs:

• Study crab photos for anatomy and proportions. The body is usually as wide as the span of the legs.

• Draw the eyes on stalks sticking up from the body. Real crab eyes sit on eyestalks.

• Give your crab 8 legs and 2 pincers. Real crabs have 5 pairs of walking legs.

• Make one pincer larger than the other. Crabs use one main claw for crushing and grasping.

• Draw the bottom of the legs as pointy tips. Crabs walk on pointed toe tips.

• Add joints on the legs to show crab leg segments. Crabs have bendy, multi-part legs.

• Curve the pincers downward to look more realistic. Crabs don’t walk with upright pincers.

• Shade the shell and add line details to show texture. Crabs have bumpy, segmented shells.

Crab Drawing Ideas and Variations

Once you’re comfortable drawing a basic crab, get creative with these ideas:

Cartoon Crabs

Turn your crab into a cartoon by exaggerating the pincers and eyes. Add some personality by bending the eyestalks or drawing the claws doing funny things.

Underwater Scene

Draw your crab under the sea. Add waves, fish, seashells and bubbles to show the ocean environment crabs live in.

Crab Family

Draw a group of crabs together. Show baby crabs, juvenile crabs, mom and dad crabs. You can show them holding claws or antennae.

Fiddler Crab

Fiddler crabs have one huge claw. The male fiddler crab waves its large claw to attract females.

Coconut Crab

Coconut crabs are giant land crabs that climb trees and open coconuts. Draw one clutching a coconut in its huge pincers.

Crab Skeleton

Draw an anatomy diagram of a crab showing its internal organs and skeletal system. Reference crab anatomy photos.

Hermit Crab

Hermit crabs don’t have a full shell. Draw one poking out of a discarded shell carrying the shell on its back.

Final Crab Drawing Tips

Keep practicing and studying crab reference photos. Pay attention to the proportions, angles and placement of each body part. Strive for a balanced, anatomically accurate crab, while adding your own artistic style.

Remember, it takes time and patience to develop drawing skills. Don’t get frustrated. Enjoy the process and your abilities will improve with each crab you draw.

Before you know it, you’ll be able to draw perfect crabs from memory. You may even develop your own unique crab drawing style that other aspiring artists will try to copy.

So grab your pencils and paper and start drawing cute, funny and realistic crabs today!