Polar Bears

Polar bears - in color!


Did you know polar bears are not really white?  Each strand of fur is actually clear, so the fur might appear to be white or yellow or any reflected color, just as snow shadows appear blue or violet. 





We looked at photos of polar bears and saw so many colors in the fur, we decided to use our artistic licenses to paint them that way!









We used this painting as a model for our own paintings. We like the way the shy little cub is peeking out at us.

First we sketched in our mama and baby bears using erasable colored pencils (yes, they're a thing). Then we painted the background icy blue. Then we painted our bears at will!






Next, we drew in the polar bear's facial features using a black Sharpie. We wanted the eyes, nose and mouths to stand out!


Then we used colored pencils to add furry details.





We used contrasting colors for the fur, and some artists added a furry edge around the head and body for added texture.








The final step was to add falling snow using a round bristle brush or the wooden tip of the brush. Or both. 

This mixed media project was created by young artists 6 to 9 years old. 

My sample