Contour Cat Watercolor Project

Looking for a fun and colorful art project for kids while also teaching them how to use watercolors?

This Contour Cat Watercolor Project is the perfect way to teach children about complementary colors, contour line drawing, and simple watercolor techniques – all in one engaging lesson.

The complementary colors of orange and blue make this project pop – especially during the fall season.

Using the simple drawing handout provided below, children can free-draw their own Contour Cat watercolor to use as the subject of three beginner-friendly techniques:

– Wet-on-wet watercolor (cat)

– Wet-on-dry watercolor (background)

– Wax resist (white outline and watercolor barrier)

What You’ll Need:

– Waterproof black marker (Sharpie)

– Watercolor paper (90 lb)

– Pan watercolor paints

– White crayon or oil pastel

– Medium round paintbrush

– Water

This lesson can be completed in two sessions

1. Draw and paint the cat and background.

2. Add patterns and details once the paint is dry.

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Start with a Contour Line

Use the drawing handout as a guide to sketch your cat’s outline – two ears, a rounded head, long neck, curved shoulders, simple paws, and a wavy tail.

Encourage kids to draw confidently, even if their lines are “wonky”. That’s what makes it unique!

Add the Eyes

Draw two oval shapes for the cat’s eyes.

Create a Wax Resist

Using a white crayon, trace carefully along the outside of the black marker lines. This will block the watercolor later.

Paint the cat (wet-on-wet)

Dip your brush in blue paint and then dip your brush into the water so the clear water only has a tint of blue.

Brush water inside the contour line.

Then, add a concentrated line of blue paint along the bottom of the cat. Hold the paper upside down and watch as the blue pigment drips and spreads – it’s watercolor magic!

Continue painting the cat blue, allowing the paint to migrate down the paper using gravity. This is really fun for kids as they can see how the colored paint will travel to the wet areas.

Paint the Background (wet-on-dry)

Fill the negative space outside the cat with orange (blue’s complementary color)

Add Details and Patterns

Once dry, use your black marker to draw a nose and mouth, then fill the cat with fun patterns, shapes, and lines.

Optional Finishing Touches

Want to make your artwork stand out even more?

Cut out your watercolor cat and glue it onto black or colored paper. Outline with a metallic Sharpie or gold oil pastel for a bold contrast.

Add creative touches like pom-poms, rhinestones, or buttons for a whimsical collar.

Click the button below to receive your free Contour Cat Watercolor PDF handout straight to your inbox.

Looking for more creative watercolor ideas? Explore more watercolor projects here.