Summer Dolphin Art Project Ocean Animal Art Lesson Elementary Art Activity

This Summer Dolphin Art Project combines drawing, oil pastels and tempera paint in one ocean-themed lesson. Students follow a guided tutorial to draw a dolphin, then finish the artwork by layering bright oil pastel colors and a painted background, so the dolphin looks like it is jumping through the water.

It suits the end of the school year, summer units, ocean or marine life units, elementary visual art classes and homeschool art lessons. The finished dolphins make a bright classroom display celebrating summer and ocean life.

WHAT'S INCLUDED (33 PAGES, NON-EDITABLE)

• Lesson Plan (2 pages) with materials list, learning outcomes, project goals and a Teacher Does / Student Does structure
• Poem Hook Page to introduce the lesson
• Critical Thinking and Discussion Page with guiding questions about creativity, artistic choices and how artists develop ideas
• Step-by-Step Dolphin Drawing Handout showing how to draw the dolphin before adding color and paint
• Art Piece Demonstration Slides, multiple pages showing the step-by-step process with oil pastels and paint
• Example of Completed Dolphin Artwork
• Reflection and Planning Pages about artistic choices and the creative process
• Student Assessment Rubric for creativity, effort, craftsmanship and completion

WHAT STUDENTS LEARN

Students explore line, color blending, contrast and composition while trying out mixed media techniques. The poem hook sparks ideas before they start, and the reflection prompts ask them to think about how artists develop ideas, take creative risks and choose their materials.

The step-by-step visuals make the lesson easy to teach, even for non-art teachers, and it also works for sub plans.

FAQ

Who can use this resource?

Art teachers, classroom teachers, homeschool educators and substitute teachers looking for a summer art activity.

How can I use it in class?

Demonstrate the drawing and coloring process with the step-by-step pages while students follow along to create their own dolphin artwork.

How long does this art project take?

Most classes complete it in 2 to 3 class periods, depending on student age, class skill level, teaching style and class length.

Is it editable?

No. The 33 pages are non-editable.

Get free, classroom-ready art lessons and printables in my Free Art Lesson Library.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen McGiveron (Ms Artastic) is an artist, art educator and curriculum designer who has been featured on NBC LX News and on the cover of OCO Magazine as a featured educator. She designs art lessons for kids and educational resources for teachers that are used by teachers and homeschool families around the world. She is the founder of Ms Artastic and hosts the Ms Artastic YouTube Channel and Podcast.

TERMS OF USE

Images and lessons are copyright products.

YOU MAY: use this in creative ways and have as much fun with it as you like. Additional licenses are available for school use.

YOU MAY NOT: use this on OutSchool, put it on your blog, share it with other teachers, administration or districts (admin can buy additional licenses), sell it, give it out for free or photocopy it for others.

Sincerely,

Ms Artastic