Polar bear art lessons are a fun winter-themed project that focuses on experimenting with different shades of blue. you can also turn this into a value study by blending a single color from light to dark.
these polar bear drawings and paintings can be done in a classroom, at home, or even for online learning. you don’t need acrylic paints—any medium will work, such as watercolor, colored pencils, crayons, or pastels.
a digital download of this “polar bear art lesson” is available on etsy and teachers pay teachers.
the download includes two levels of instruction for the lesson, with step-by-step guidance for drawing and painting, along with reference photos.
skills and techniques
this art activity introduces and reinforces:
drawing using basic shapes
creating depth with foreground, middle ground, and background
mixing different shades and values of blue
this project makes a perfect winter art activity that isn’t tied to any holiday theme. it’s also suitable as a steam art project, paired with learning about the arctic and polar habitats.
it’s ideal for students in grades k-6 and works well for homeschoolers, classroom teachers, and parents. i’ve taught this lesson in-person and remotely. the digital download provides step-by-step drawing instructions that can be printed or shared digitally, allowing students to follow along independently or guided by a teacher.
materials needed
pencils & erasers
paper suitable for painting
black marker or sharpie
paint: white, blue, turquoise, gray
paintbrush
paper towels
pro tip: give each student a paper plate with small amounts of white, turquoise, and blue for mixing colors. a single paper towel is enough to clean brushes during painting. you don’t need a water cup for the lesson itself—only at the end to rinse brushes. i often have students bring their brushes to a cup of soapy water after class.
drawing instructions
start with basic shapes: an oval for the body and a circle for the head.
add large shapes for the legs.
once the main shapes are in place, include smaller shapes like ears, feet, and facial features.
draw the background and add a few icebergs floating in the water.
painting instructions
fill the background with layers of blues, from light to dark.
leave the polar bear mostly white—there’s no need to paint it in.
optionally, add a touch of gray for shadows on the legs and above the nose to give it more dimension.
this project is simple, visually engaging, and perfect for building confidence with painting and color mixing while learning about the arctic environment.
