How to Paint an Ocean Theme in Kids Room

Sample of an ocean theme painted wall

Ocean-themed painted walls appeal to all ages. Delight a child by painting a charming ocean mural on one or more walls. Start with colors to create the sandy bottom, main body of water and the sky above to cover a wall as the basic "canvas." Then add details such as a variety of fish, sea shells and rocks, perhaps a mermaid, a sailboat on the waves, a sun and clouds and anything else that strikes the imagination. Artist ability is not required, just enthusiasm. Errors can be easily painted over.

Things You'll Need

• Water-based paint--sand color, ocean blue, light blue
• Acrylic paint colors
• Large and small brushes
• Pencil
• Eraser
• Illustrated reference books
• Cut-out fabric fish images (if desired)

Instructions

1. 

   Draw two things first on the ocean themed-wall in pencil: waves (divides the ocean from the sky) and the bottom sand. If lacking in artistic ability, keep the drawings simple. Then add simple outlines for the following details: clown fish, dolphins jumping over the waves, fan sea shells resting on the ocean floor, coral and/or rocks, a pirate's treasure chest with a few gold coins nearby, a mermaid swimming by, seahorses and starfish. Refer to an illustrated reference book or two for help.

2. 

   Paint in the ocean body in one color, the sky in a lighter color, and the sand using medium brushes--going around the other drawn details (to be painted later). Then, with acrylic paint, fill in the other larger details using smaller brushes. The idea is to fill the "canvas" wall with color. Adding colors to the smaller details will take more time and attention.

3. 

   Using the variety of acrylic paints, paint the smaller details with little brushes. Since this is an ocean theme for a child, details don't have to be exact or to scale. Keep the colors bright and cheerful. The more details the better, so that the child can find "almost" hidden features. More details can be added later if desired because the wall painted has considerable space. Also, painted details can be changed and enhanced.

Tips & Warnings

• For added interest, hang a pair of underwater goggles, swim fins and a beach towel on hooks in the corner. Other accessories can include a beach pail and trowel, a stuffed Orca whale, Nemo clown fish and perhaps a Loggerhead turtle. Ask for artistic help from a friend to draw ocean-themed details or even the overall mural. To add texture and other interest to the wall, cut out fish or other themed images from fabric or expired wallpaper sample books, then glue them with white glue to the painted wall. Get the child (or children) to help with drawing and painting. Don't forget to sign and date the painted wall.