Under the Sea Silhouette Art for Kids

Learn how to make Under the Sea Silhouette Art with your toddlers and preschoolers. This easy idea comes with 4 free printable ocean animal templates for you to download and use. Kids art ideas like this are perfect when doing a summer or ocean themed unit with your class.

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If you want to make your Summer themed lessons a breeze, then check out the Summer Activity Pack. It’s filled with math and literacy centers, fine motor activities and arts and crafts templates. All of which are aligned with preschool learning standards. Check it out today.

How to Make Under the Sea Silhouette Art

Step 1. Download and print the Under the Sea Silhouettes.

The first step of this art project is to get your copy of the digital download below. It contains a silhouette picture of a turtle, stingray, shark and a mermaid. Use these free printables for kids for this silhouette painting, or any number of other play ideas.

2. Laminate the templates, and cut them out.

This is optional. You don’t have to laminate each picture unless you want to. 

I like to laminate the pictures because it makes them more sturdy, and also reusable. When the kids are finished making their picture you can easily wash the templates and store them to use again another day.

3. Attach the template to the paper.

Take your black paper and stick the main subjects to the center of the page using sticky tape. If you are making a large picture you can always use more than one of the templates on the same page.

4. Draw around the edges of the template

Use different shades of blue, green and a bit of white to draw around the edges of the template. Let the kids draw how they like, but encourage them to make sure the edges of the silhouettes are completely covered.

5. Use a finger to smudge the color outward

Now this is the fun part. To make the blue background, use your finger to smudge the colors outwards.

This will make it look like your sea animal is passing in front of the sun and the rays are shining outwards to the edges of the picture.

6. Repeat until you get the background you like.

Generally speaking, a little bit of soft pastels can go a long way. But you can go over the first layer with a different color to add more detail or a deeper color to your picture.

7. Remove the center template.

Very carefully remove the sticky tape, trying your best not to tear the black paper underneath. Blow or brush away any soft pastel residue that got underneath the template. You can also use a damp cloth if you’re very careful.

8. Use black paint to draw rocks, coral and seaweed around the edges

This is an optional detail that is better suited for older children. Use a black oil pastel or black paint to decorate the edges of the picture. 

Again, this will aid with the illusion of looking up towards the sky from the bottom of the ocean floor.

Summer Activity Pack

Educational printables for preschoolers and kindergarteners for this Summer.

Get it here

Other options to try

While I used soft pastels to make this fun art project, you can use the same idea with regular acrylic paints or even watercolor paint. Use a bit of white paint to help add the streaks from the sun.

Try a different sea animal for your picture, such as a sea horse or a whale. Let your kids draw their own animal to make a custom template for their silhouette art project. This is a fun way for your kids to express their unique creativity.

Are you going to make this Under the Sea Silhouette Art with your kids?
Don’t forget to pin the idea or later

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