School aged kids will have fun exploring various watercolor techniques with this underwater scene project. This project can easily be made at home or in the classroom. We’ve made the project even easier with free printable options!
Watercolor Project Featuring Two Different Techniques
This Underwater Scene Art Project is a fun way for kids to learn various watercolor techniques. We will explore what happens when wet paints mix and when we add crayons to our art.
Related: A fun and educational way to use wax resist for younger kids.
SUPPLIES NEEDED TO MAKE THIS Underwater Scene Art Project
- Watercolor Paper – or a heavier cardstock
- Watercolor Paints
- Crayons – for wax resist
- Pencil – for sketching
- Paper Towels
- Water
- Brushes
- Optional: Sharpie – for finishing touches
- Optional: Free Printable (download below) printed on cardstock
Download The Printables Here
Directions to Make an Underwater Scene Watercolor Project
Step 1
Using a pencil, have kids lightly draw an underwater scene of their choice. If using a free printable design, skip this step.
Step 2
Using crayons, and firm pressure, kids completely color in shapes. They need to leave the background (water) blank since this will be painted with watercolor. Tip: Emphasize firm pressure without breaking crayons. If enough pressure is not applied, the wax resist technique will not work.
Added Fun: Have kids draw bubbles in the water using a white crayon.
Step 3
Quickly use both blue and purple or blue and green watercolor paints to paint the entire picture. This is where kids see how wet paints interact and “bleed” together. Also, by painting over colored designs, kids will see the effects of wax resist. The wax in crayons repels the water leaving those designs uncovered.
Allow painting to dry.
Step 4 (Optional)
Once dry, kids not using the free printable, may wish to trace outlines of their designs with a Sharpie to make the scene more defined.
Finished Underwater Scene Wax Resist Art Project
I love the finished project and the process of making these Underwater Scenes. They’re easy, fun, and look great! Since these masterpieces are created on sheets of paper, they can easily be framed, hung on the refrigerator, or displayed in any way you choose!
Our Experience Making this Underwater Scene Wax Resist Art Project
This is always a fun activity that kids enjoy. It combines simple techniques with beautiful results. It almost seems magical to watch the wax resist the watercolor paint, especially on any “hidden” designs that were drawn using the white crayon.
Underwater Scene Wax Resist Variations
- Draw shapes from outer space with crayon and paint the background with dark blues, blacks, or purples to create a galaxy scene.
- Experiment with other scenes and color combinations, just remember to keep the largest background area mostly wax free for watercolor painting.
- Use any coloring page (printed on cardstock) with this method.
Prep Time
5 minutes
Active Time
20 minutes
Additional Time
5 minutes
Total Time
30 minutes
Difficulty
Medium
Estimated Cost
$5
Materials
- Watercolor Paper – or a heavier cardstock
- Optional: Free Printable (download below) printed on cardstock
- Watercolor Paints
Tools
- Crayons – for wax resist
- Pencil – for sketching
- Paper Towels
- Water
- Brushes
- Optional: Sharpie – for finishing touches
Instructions
- Kids use a pencil to lightly draw an underwater scene. Skip this step if using a printable.
- Use a crayon and firmly color in designs. Complete cover designs in crayon for wax resist to work. Do not color the background (water) because kids will be painting that with watercolors. Bonus: Add “hidden” bubble shapes to the background by drawing with a white crayon.
- Quickly use both blue and purple, or blue and green paints to paint the entire picture. Crayon images should resist watercolor paints.
- Optional: Once dry, kids who did not use the printable pages may wish to trace their designs using a sharpie. This will make the designs more defined.
Other Fun Watercolor or Ocean Themed Activities from Kids Activities Blog
What did your kids draw in their underwater scene? Were they excited to see how watercolor and wax interact?
