Who’s up for a little walrus trivia?
Do you know what a group of these large mammals is called? There’s a flamboyance of flamingoes, a crash of rhinos, and walruses get… an ugly.
Who gets to pick these collective nouns, anyway?
Ugly is actually just one of the words used to desrcibe a gathering of walruses, they’re also called a herd, pod, flock, or huddle. I like huddle the best, it gives them a cuter connotation than ugly, which is just plain rude!
We set out to create a walrus that’s the opposite – cute! In this project, students will first learn a plastic wrap watercolor technique to make painted paper of different colors. These papers are cut and collaged to create an adorable (or ugly, if you prefer!) walrus in icy surroundings, with a northern lights sky.
So grab that plastic wrap and let’s create!
What you'll need:
- 9×12 white sulphite paper
- 12×18 white sulphite paper
- Liquid watercolors (neon is optional)
- Spray bottle or foam brush
- Plastic wrap
- Fine black Sharpie
- Glue stick
- Scissors
- Paint pens
Watercolor Walrus Art Project Instructions
First, learn this watercolor technique that will be used to create three different papers: brown, cool colors, and warm colors.
Start by making the brown paper for the walrus body. Choose any two complementary colors (opposites on the color wheel). The sample uses green and red.
Mix the liquid watercolors in a spray bottle and spritz the 9×12 paper. (Or, paint the paper brown with pan watercolors.)
While the watercolors are still wet, fold and lay plastic wrap on top. Leave it there until the watercolors are dry.
Repeat this process using warm colors on a new 9×12 piece of paper.
Next, choose cool colors to mix. These will make the icy background of the walrus’ surroundings.
Repeat the plastic wrap directions.
Draw your walrus on the dry brown paper, adding eyes, mouth, and nose. Cut it out.
Draw tusks on white paper, cut them out and glue them on the walrus.
Cut jagged mountains in the top of the icy blue paper. Glue it on top of the warm color background.
Glue on the walrus and add details with sharpie and paint pen.
Flex those collage skills and create a watercolor walrus with your kids!
Click the banner below to download the FREE lesson plan.
We would love it if you’d share your art project results!
Don’t forget to tag us at @soulsparklettes on social media if you do this walrus art project with your kids or students – we love to see what you create!
Join one of our Memberships!
This is an example of the fun we have inside the Glitterbombers Memberships. Chose the level right for your students – Glitterbombers (K-7th) or the new Glitterbombers HIGH (7th-12th). With either choice, you’ll have hundreds more art projects, videos, and resources at your fingertips for whatever you’re studying, or whatever art concept you’re ready to teach.
