How to Draw a Cartoon Wave

Step 1. Sketch in the basic shape of the curl, spray, foam and base of the wave.

Step 2. Add an extra line running parallel and below the curl line to define the thickness of the lip.

Step 3. Add a flow line starting at the lip and curve it around to suggest roundness of the liquid lip. Continue that same flow line around with a half oval down to the base of the wave to show the concave curve of the wave face.

Step 4. Add the rest of the flow lines. Gradually make each flow line less steep as you move away from the curl, to show the tapered shoulder. Continue the flow lines into the tube to show hollowness.

Step 5. Add simplified spray with thin wispy lines. Add the foam explosion with a series of explosion lines getting bigger as they moving away. Maybe add a foam ball in the tube. Round off the foam at the base of the wave so it won’t look flat.

Step 6. Add shading on the wave face with smaller contour lines. Gradually make the lines darker as you get further into the tube. Use crosshatching to add more depth. Lightly shade foam and base of the wave. Maybe shade the sky a little, too.

Tip: Don’t get caught up trying to draw every foam bubble, you’ll go nuts.

Tip: Using a sharp eraser, keep a defined white line under the lip so it looks separate from the wave face.

Tip: Add white highlights on the lip with your eraser to give it sparkle.

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