If you’re looking for an easy and creative way to explore ocean life through art, this Whale Shark Watercolor Art Project for kids is a splash-tastic place to start!
Using a fun crayon resist watercolor technique, children will create their own colorful whale shark surrounded by dreamy, abstract underwater scenes. It’s a perfect fit for ocean-themed unit studies, Shark Week art activities, or simply a summer art project to inspire curious minds.
Whether you’re working with little ones or older children ready to experiment with color and composition, this project is simple enough for beginners and still engaging for tweens and upper primary artists.
How to Make Whale Shark Watercolor Art
Materials:
- Cardstock or Mixed Media Paper for printing (remember to check printer settings!)
- Watercolor Paint
- Black and White Crayons or Oil Pastels
- Whale Shark Art Templates (members will need to login to access the templates.)
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Whale Shark Watercolor Art Template
This easy and engaging whale shark art project is perfect for exploring watercolor techniques, crayon resist, and ocean life. Children can experiment with abstract color, wet and dry brush techniques, and design their own underwater scene.
The pack includes a detailed whale shark coloring page, ideal for younger children or for use with different materials like crayons, markers, or pastels.
Step-by-Step Whale Shark Watercolor Tutorial
Step 1: Outline the Whale Shark Template
Trace the outline of the whale shark with a black crayon or oil pastel to create a bold barrier.
This will help to define the shape and prevent the watercolor paints from seeping across the lines.
Step 2: Add the ‘Magic’.
Whale sharks are known for the distinctive pattern of pale spots scattered across their grey-blue backs.
To reflect this unique feature in your artwork, use a white crayon or oil pastel to draw a playful arrangement of soft, undefined spots across the whale shark’s back and fins.
For added detail, draw a cluster of short, compact stripes just below the eye – a subtle nod to the whale shark’s textured skin.
These hidden marks will reveal themselves once the watercolor is added, creating a magical resist effect that brings your creature to life.
Step 3: Add ocean detail.
Using a black crayon, draw a variety of overlapping shapes to represent seaweed, coral, or underwater plants.
These can cluster near the bottom of the page or curve around the whale shark to create a sense of depth and help frame the scene for added visual interest.
Encourage kids to let the lines flow and overlap—organic shapes work beautifully here!
Finally, trace around the whale shark with a white crayon—this subtle outline will help the whale shark stand out beautifully against the blue tones of the ocean background.
Step 4: Painting with watercolors – let the color flow!
Use bold, abstract colors to bring your whale shark to life – there’s no need to stick to realistic tones.
Try layering purples, pinks, blues, and yellows for a vibrant, eye-catching effect.
Use less water on the brush for more control and stronger color.
This dry-on-wet or dry-on-dry technique creates bold lines and textures, while still allowing the colors to blend gently.
It’s a fun way for kids to explore contrast, movement, and expression through the use of color.
Step 5: Paint the ocean.
Begin by brushing a light layer of clean water over the page – this sets the stage for the wet-on-wet watercolor technique.
As your child adds watercolor to the damp surface, they’ll see the paint spread and blend in beautiful, unpredictable ways.
This looser, fluid approach is perfect for depicting the natural movement of the sea.
Try layering soft blues, greens, and purples to create a dreamy underwater world that contrasts with the bold, controlled color of the whale shark.
The Whale Shark Watercolor Art Project Tutorial is Complete
This project combines artistic exploration with ocean-themed learning, giving children the chance to:
- Experiment with different watercolor techniques (wet-on-wet vs. dry brush)
- Explore color theory and contrast
- Practice crayon resist methods
- Observe and replicate patterns found in marine life
- Develop fine motor skills and creative confidence
Whether used as part of a STEAM unit, ocean study, or simply for the joy of creating, this open-ended activity offers something for every age and ability.
And best of all, it encourages children to trust the process, embrace the unexpected, and express themselves freely through art.
More Shark and Ocean Art Ideas for Kids
If your kids enjoyed this whale shark art activity, they’ll love diving into more shark and ocean-themed projects that explore texture, color, and creative techniques:
🦈 Easy Shark Art (Scrape Painting)A bold and expressive scrape painting technique paired with printable shark silhouettes—perfect for little artists who love big results.
✏️ How to Draw a SharkStep-by-step guide for drawing a shark—great for building drawing confidence before painting.
🎨 Mixed Media Shark CraftA hands-on craft combining painting, cutting, and layering—ideal for Shark Week or a marine life unit.
🐠 Ocean Animal Watercolor ArtExplore watercolor techniques while painting a variety of sea creatures in an expressive, child-led way.
🧜♀️ How to Draw a Mermaid’s TailAdd a splash of fantasy to your ocean theme with this beautiful tail drawing project that’s full of texture and shimmer.
