There is nothing more enjoyable than being at an aquarium, watching the stingrays gently gliding by, when one of them suddenly presses it’s face up against the glass. The goofy eyes and mouth are a surprise, and a delight, and are always a fascination. This Stingray Art Project teaches kids how to draw stingrays gliding by, with that surprise that is guaranteed to happen on their next aquarium visit.
Start with the Curves
With the paper horizontal, in the bottom right, about a hand’s length up, draw a narrow U-shape. Curve around the tip of each end of the U in order to make the narrow points on its head.
Curve down and off to the side in a swooping motion. Repeat on the other side. This is the start of its wings.
Curve both lines around and extend the lines down, right off the paper.
Finish the surprise stingray by adding eyes to the side of its head, small dots for nostrils, and a smile. Add short vertical line in an arc around the mouth.
Complete the Rays
Turn the paper vertical in order to draw the swimming stingrays. Start by drawing a narrow U-shape. Again, curve around the tip of each end of the U, then curve down and off to the sides in a swooping motion. Curve both lines around and extend the lines down, angling inward and then stop. Draw two short lines towards each other, and add the tail that ends in a point. Draw two ovals on the side of its head and fill in. Add lines to add a defined ridge to the back.
Draw one or two more stingrays, depending on where you have room.
Kids will love drawing the tail end of a stingray coming in from one end of the paper as well.
Drawing the Kelp Forest
Adding the kelp forest teaches kids about implied movement in art.
Turn the paper horizontal again, and pick a place at the bottom of the paper to start. Draw a line upward towards the top of the page, making sure that the line does not pass through any stingrays. At the top of the line add a leaf shape. Draw another line next to the upward line that you drew to make a skinny stem.
Draw a wavy line off of the stem into the white space, and draw a wavy line back to the stem. The lines do not have to follow each other – in fact, it’s better if they don’t. Continue drawing leaves on both sides of the stem. Repeat for 3-4 more pieces of kelp.
Coloring it In
One fun way to color in the stingrays is by adding polka dots with a lighter color crayon first. Then use a darker color to color on top of the polka dots and fill in the rest of the stingray. This allows the stingrays to have a muted spotted effect that is so often seen in stingrays.
For the surprise stingray, color around the edge of the stingray and its head, leaving its belly white which makes the stingray pop.
Finish by coloring the kelp forest. Suggest using warm colors against the cool colors of the stingrays and oceans for a stark contrast, although many kids will want the traditional green.
Want to try a video lesson? Click below to watch and create along with me!
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