We are starting an ocean animal series here since we’ve already drawn some fish and a great white shark. This page will show you how we drew a simple killer whale – orca – on the iPad Pro with Procreate.
How to Draw an Orca
We use an iPad Pro (M2) and Procreate – latest software – to digitally draw and paint marine animals like orcas.
Outline Brush: Inking | Baskerville – customized. I go into settings change stabilization and drop the taper down a bit. Here are the two settings I modify.
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Brush Size: 2%
Opacity: 100%.
Color: I use a black or light grey to outline the figure.
When drawing an orca, focus on the very unique shape they have (similar to a dolphin’s odd shape), and the unique patterns on their bodies. Their black backs (dorsal), large dorsal fin, and white undersides, along with white patches above the eyes, give them a bold, recognizable look.
In your artwork, the contrast between these colors can help create a sense of depth and realism. Orcas have sleek, streamlined bodies, and drawing them in motion – swimming or breaching – can add dynamic energy to your piece.
How Drawing Orcas Can Help Make Art Your Day Job
Drawing animals like orcas can open doors to creating art that sells. Orcas are visually striking – their black-and-white pattern naturally stands out. You can experiment with different shades and textures to make the orca pop on the canvas or screen. Whether you use bright or muted tones for the background, you can make the orca the central focus, drawing attention with its natural beauty.
To be honest, to make art your day job, you could become an expert at drawing orcas on the iPad Pro with Procreate, or with a paintbrush on canvas. This marine animal is so iconic that people in hotels around the world would love to buy a wall-sized painting of orcas in the ocean.
Don’t overlook the power of specialization in your art – to make you a career’s worth of income.
Some Interesting Orca Info
Orcas, also known as killer whales, are massive and highly studied marine mammals. They are found in oceans all over the world, from the icy waters of the Arctic and Antarctic to the warmer seas near the equator. They have striking black-and-white contrasting patterns with rounded lines.
They are one of the ocean’s top predators and they kill great white sharks to eat their livers! They also hunt fish, squid, seals, other sharks, and even other whales. Orcas live in social groups called pods and communicate through clicks and whistles. These pods often work together to hunt. Orcas are slow to reproduce, usually giving birth to one calf every three to ten years.
Interesting Orca Facts
- Orcas can live up to 90 years in the wild.
- They are incredibly fast swimmers, reaching speeds of 34 miles per hour.
- Orcas have been recorded on video playing with their food, showing off their intelligence over the lesser species of prey.
- They join together to hunt in ways other animals have never considered. They form a row of orcas moving toward an iceburg where a seal is stranded. Their fast movement creates a wave that topples the seal into the ocean where they eat it!
Actionable Takeaway
Draw an orca a day for the next 30 days and see how good you get!
How to Draw Ocean Animals >