Learn how to make colorful pet portraits with your kids using oil pastels and a bright watercolor background!
Do you have a special pet at home? Or are your kids animal lovers? Or maybe both?! Turn that love into a creative art project by helping them make a portrait of their pet using oil pastels and watercolor paint! This watercolor resist activity is a fun way to explore drawing and painting while celebrating a furry (or feathered or scaly!) friend.
We’ve made these pet portraits several times and it’s so cool to see how they evolve as our kids get older. They also make a really special memorial for pets who have passed. And if you don’t have a pet at home, your child can choose a favorite animal to draw instead, or a favorite stuffy!
How to Make Pet Portraits for Kids
MATERIALS
- Oil pastels
- Watercolor paint
- Paintbrush
- White watercolor paper
- Pencil or sharpie
- Photo or memory of your pet (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Sketch your pet in pencil
Start by lightly sketching your pet’s head (and body, if you’d like) on the paper. Keep the shapes simple and focus on basic features like ears, eyes, and a tail. If kids need to, they can look at a photo or have your pet nearby for inspiration.
- Add color and details with oil pastels
Once your sketch is done, outline the drawing in black pastel or sharpie.
Then fill in the fur, feathers, or skin with colorful oil pastels. Encourage your child to mix and layer colors to match their pet’s coloring.
- Paint a watercolor background
Using watercolor paint, fill the background with bold, vibrant color. The oil pastels will resist the paint, so the pet drawing stays clear and defined. We used a neon color to contrast with the dark colors we used on our cats.
Let the paint dry completely and then hang your pet portrait in a special place!
We love these portraits of our new kitties. It’s a fun and creative way to celebrate the animals that bring so much joy to our lives.
More Animal Art Activities for Kids
- How to Make Magic Animal Masks for Kids
- How to Make Stuffed Paper Fish
- How to Make a Bird Mobile for Kids
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