Quick answer
Start by painting the sunset background, then block in the orcas' black bodies and white markings before adding splashes and highlights. Work from back to front, keep your brush strokes loose, and let each layer dry before adding the next. The Ocean Orcas kit gives you the canvas and colors to follow this sequence without guessing.
canvas
Set up your canvas and colors before you paint
Lay out your canvas, brushes, water cup, and palette. For the sunset, you'll need warm colors like coral, orange, and yellow; for the orcas, black and white; and a bit of blue for the water. If you're using the Ocean Orcas kit, the colors are already matched to the design, so you can skip mixing guesswork. Decide whether you're painting both whales on one canvas or collaborating on separate canvases—this changes how you space the composition.
Paint the sunset sky in loose horizontal bands
Load a wide brush with coral and sweep it across the top third of the canvas. While it's still wet, add orange below and blend the edge where the two colors meet. Finish with a pale yellow near the horizon. Keep strokes horizontal and relaxed—this is the backdrop, not the focal point. A common mistake is overblending until the colors turn muddy; stop while you can still see distinct bands.
Block in the water with simple horizontal strokes
Switch to a medium brush and paint the lower half of the canvas with blue, using long horizontal strokes that follow the waterline. Leave a thin strip of the sunset visible at the horizon. Vary the blue with a little white or coral near the bottom to suggest reflections. Let this layer dry completely before painting the orcas—wet watercolor will smear the black.
Sketch the orcas lightly with a pencil or thin brush
Use a pencil or a very thin brush with diluted paint to outline the orcas' bodies. For the leaping orca, draw a curved body arcing above the water; for the swimming orca, a smoother horizontal shape. Keep the sketches light so they don't show through the final paint. If you're collaborating on separate canvases, each painter can sketch their own whale, or you can mirror the poses for a connected pair.
Fill in the black bodies and white markings
Paint the orcas' black areas first, using a small flat brush for edges and a round brush for larger fills. Let the black dry, then add the white belly and eye patch with a fine brush. Keep the white crisp by loading the brush lightly and not overworking the edges. A common mistake is painting white over wet black—wait for the black to dry or the white will turn gray.
Add splashes, highlights, and final details
Use a small brush and white or light blue to flick small splashes around the orcas' bodies. Add a few bright coral highlights on the water to tie the sunset into the scene. If you're painting with a child, let them add extra splashes or colorful dots—it keeps the painting playful. Step back to check the balance; you can always add more splashes, but too many can clutter the composition.
Step-by-step orca painting process
- Prepare your workspace: Set out canvas, brushes, water, and palette. If using the Ocean Orcas kit, open it and arrange colors by warmth. Checkpoint: you have everything within reach and a clear space to work.
- Paint the sunset background: Apply coral, orange, and yellow in horizontal bands, blending only where they meet. Keep strokes loose. Mistake to avoid: overblending until the colors turn muddy.
- Block in the water: Paint the lower half with blue horizontal strokes, leaving a thin horizon line. Add subtle reflections with white or coral. Let this layer dry before moving on to prevent smearing.
- Sketch the orcas: Lightly outline one or two orcas with pencil or diluted paint. Position them so they have room to leap or swim. Checkpoint: the sketch is faint and the composition feels balanced.
- Paint the black and white areas: Fill the black bodies first, then add white markings once the black is dry. Use a fine brush for crisp edges. Mistake to avoid: painting white over wet black, which causes gray smudges.
- Add splashes and highlights: Flick white and light blue splashes around the orcas. Add coral highlights on the water to echo the sunset. Step back and assess—add more splashes sparingly.
Ocean Orcas kit at a glance
- Ocean Orcas: The kit includes supplies for painting two orcas at sunset, with loose brushstrokes and bright color pops. You get a coordinated palette and canvas, so you can focus on technique rather than mixing colors from scratch.
- Ocean Orcas: You can paint both whales on one canvas for a solo composition, or collaborate with a partner on separate canvases. This flexibility makes it easy to adapt the project for a date night or a solo painting session.
