Explore the deep dark ocean with our Easy Shark Art project for kids and Printable Shark Silhouettes, using the scrape painting technique to create an under the sea background.
The image of sharks swimming in a circular formation against a partially lit underwater background is one we’re all familiar with. This easy Shark Art project simplifies the concept into an accessible art project for kids to try, either as part of an under the sea topic or during Shark Week.
A whole week dedicated to sharks and all their glory will be a dream for all shark enthusiasts, both big and small. And while our shark project is primarily geared towards children, it’s one the whole family can enjoy. So when shark week arrives, why not give this art idea a go!
We have designed four different shark silhouettes, all in different swimming formations and the printable pack includes solid black shark designs and simple outlines, that can used for printing or as a prompt for children to design their very own sharks.
Table of contents
How to Create Easy Shark Art with our Printable Shark Silhouettes:
Materials:
- White Card Stock
- Acrylic Paint
- Scrap Card
- Scissors
- Glue Stick
- Sponge
How to Download the Printable Shark Silhouettes:
The Shark Silhouettes are available to members of the Arty Crafty Kids club.
Members will need to log in to access the templates: https://www.artycraftykids.com/product/shark-silhouettes/
Not a Member?
How to Make a Shark Art – Step by Step Video
Let’s Make Shark Art!
Ocean Art with the Scrape Painting Technique
The Scrape Painting Technique
As the name suggests, it is the art of scaping paint across a canvas. Scrape painting is such a fun and effective technique for blending colors and creating cool textures.
All you need is paint, ideally acrylic paint and scraps of card/cardboard or an old bank card. Essentially the “scraper” needs to be sturdy with a flat edge. It needs to be easy for little hands to hold and manoeuvre, and strong enough to be scraped across a canvas – in this example, a sheet of white card stock.
How to Begin Scrape Painting
Start by applying small squirts of paint directly to white card stock.
To create an underwater background for the sharks, apply light colors in the middle and gradually work away from the center using light to darker shades of blue and purple.
In our Easy Shark Art example, we’ve created a focus point of yellow – this is to convey the sense of light reflecting from the surface. To recreate this example, add yellow and white paint to the middle of the sheet.
Let’s scrape!
Once the paint is in position, take the scraper tool and gently spread the paint across in a circular formation.
Scape in Circular Motions
Continue working from the center circle and scrape in circular formations, picking up new colors and blending as the process progresses.
With each circle, use a new piece of scrap card.
This is a great opportunity for children to observe and reflect on what happens to the paint as new colors are picked up.
Continue filling the sheet with new scrapes until the under the water scene for the sharks is complete.
Remove any excess paint by scaping it away with scrap card.
Cut out the Shark Silhouette Elements
The printable shark silhouettes are offered in two formats: solid black shark shapes and simple outlines embedded within rectangles. The latter are to be used as a stencil or a design prompt.
Shark Silhouettes
Once the ocean has thoroughly dried, it’s time for the shark silhouettes.
Remove the white space within the shark outline to create a stencil.
Position the shark stencil.
Printing the Shark Shape
Next, grab a plate and add some black paint.
Dab a sponge into the paint and transfer the paint to the stencil, gently dabbing within the edges and filling the empty space with black paint.
Children can play with how they fill the stencil. Some may like to create a solid black shark silhouette, other’s may prefer exploring with a gentle dab which leaves some of the background color popping through.
Gently Peel the Shark Template
Once the stencil is full, gently peel it away from the ocean to reveal the shark.
Using Printable Shark Silhouettes
As an alternative to the shark stencils, simply cut out the black shark silhouettes and glue to the ocean background.
The Easy Shark Art Project is Complete!
The Easy Shark Art project is complete! I hope your Arty Crafty Kids have enjoyed using the scrape painting technique to create their mysterious under the sea background. And if you happen to share their completed works of art on social media, please tag us to show off how they’ve used their shark silhouettes to create unique and fabulous shark art!
