Blue Whale Colouring Page

The blue whale is the largest animal known to have lived on Earth. It is found in every major ocean except the Arctic, travelling between rich feeding waters and warmer breeding regions. This ocean giant may reach about 30 metres in length, with exceptional animals approaching 33 metres, and can weigh well over 100 tonnes. Blue whales are also long-lived: scientists estimate an average lifespan of roughly 80 to 90 years. Even though it is enormous, a blue whale eats mainly tiny shrimp-like animals called krill. Instead of teeth, it has baleen plates hanging from the upper jaw. The whale takes in a huge mouthful of water and then pushes the water out through the baleen, trapping the krill like food in a giant sieve. Its long body is usually mottled blue-grey, but underwater it can appear beautifully blue. Blue whales often travel alone or in pairs, and they use very deep, powerful calls that can carry great distances through the sea. In this colouring page, the little fish make the whale's remarkable size easy to see. Colour the whale with light blue-grey, slate blue or a mix of cool blues. You can leave the belly paler and add gentle, irregular patches across the back using a slightly darker blue pencil. Keep those patches soft rather than filling the body with heavy black. Try dark navy for the small dorsal fin and medium grey-blue for the tail flukes. Make the tiny fish bright yellow, silver, orange or striped so they stand out beside their enormous neighbour. The water surface can be turquoise near the light and deeper blue lower down. Colour the bubbles very pale blue, and use sandy beige for the seabed with green seagrass. Long, smooth strokes following the whale from its rounded head toward the tail will make it look as if it is gliding. Shorter curved strokes suit the waves. You may add a faint beam of sunlight from above, but keep the main spaces light and clear. Most importantly, take your time around the mouth grooves and flippers, then enjoy choosing an ocean palette grand enough for the biggest animal on our planet.

◫ A4 size✎ Bold outlines♡ Ages 3–8

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Make it an activity

Choose a favourite colour palette
Add a simple background
Display the finished artwork

Grown-up note: Please supervise printing and choose age-appropriate art materials.