This is a pencil study by William Lionel Wyllie. It depicts an octopus in detail. There are also two studies of shrimp, possibly langoustine or a lobster. The octopus has been drawn in detail. Its head is tilted back and its eyes are at the top of its body. The octopus sits on its tentacles which are curled beneath its revealing suckers. Pencil marks have been used to indicate the mottled texture of its skin. There are areas of dark shading beneath the octopus indicative of shadow. At the bottom of the image there is a shrimp or langoustine, This image has been cut off by the bottom of the page so only the body, antennae and first two legs. A rough outline of the langoustine has been drawn but there is no shading. Another langoustine has been depicted in the top right hand corner. The langoustine is depicted from the front with its tail curling behind it. Its legs and antennae are visible. Shading has been used to indicate the underside of the langoustine. In the top left hand corner there is the rough outline of an octopus, swimming with its tentacle outstretched.

Study for Wyllie's oil painting 'Davy Jones's Locker', completed in 1890 (Museum no. ZBA5055).