Koalas live in the forests of Australia and love eucalyptus leaves. They can eat up to one kilogram (2.2 lbs.) of leaves in one day! While this little Koala bear is busy eating a tasty treat, let’s paint!

Step One: Outline

Begin by making a very simple outline of where you will place the head and ears so you have a guideline for the following step. Use the eyebrows as a guide for where the head is placed so you get it symmetrical.

Step Two: One Stroke

Using the Diamond FX Dragon one-stroke and a 3/4" flat brush, paint a strip over the forehead and between the ears, making it wavy at the top for interest. Also, while your brush is loaded, paint 3 leaves on the nose. Don’t go too high as you will be painting the nose there...I started at the level where the corners of my eyes were. Then finally, add a couple curved swooshes down each side starting from the outside corner of the eye (see inset).

Step Three: Stencil Work

Let’s add some texture to the top background area using the Damask Mirror Stencil by Ooh!Stencils. This texture gives the look of leaves in the forest where our hungry koala is enjoying a little meal. Next add another leaf on each side to fill in the empty area on the cheekbone using the Art Factory’s Tropical Flower Stencil Boomerang Stencil. Use Superstar Dark Green on a sponge for both stencils.

Step Four: Koala

Time to paint the koala’s head and ears with Superstar Light Gray and a filbert brush. Fill in the area you outlined leaving a blank space in the ears to add pink. You can give it a little depth by tapping the end of your brush in black paint and then adding shadows where the ears meet the head and on the sides of the head to give it more dimension. Blend the black into the gray while your paints are still wet. You may have to tap it out with a clean sponge so they blend nicely.

Step Five: Pink Ears

Using a petal sponge loaded with Superstar Bubblegum, add pink to the inside of the koala’s ears. Blend it into the gray area.

Step Six: Black Outlining

Time to pull it all together with black outlines and details. Paint a line around the head, giving it a few little tufts of hair on top. Flick your brush creating furry ears on the outside edge. Add small eyes and a large oval nose in the center. Don’t forget the cute little mouth. Add some drag and drop brush strokes on the sides. Curve them into the center focal point.

Step Seven: White Highlights

To make the design come to life, add white highlights around the various elements as shown. Add white flicks of paint to the outer ears to complete the furry look.

Step Eight: Glitter

Adding glitter to this design is the final touch. I used Sea of Glass Gleam Glitter Cream by Vivid Glitter, one of my favorites! This glitter can be put right over the paint without smearing! I applied it under the eyes and also on the top green area.

Now you have a cute little koala bear that is perfect for any boy or girl!

Supplies

Diamond FX Dragon One-Stroke
Superstar Bubblegum
Superstar Light Gray
Superstar Dark Green
Kraze FX White
Kraze FX Black
Damask Mirror Stencil by Ooh!Stencils
Tropical Flower Stencil Boomerang Stencil by the Art Factory
Petal Sponge
Art Factory Filbert Brush
Art Factory 3/4" Flat Brush
#1 Round Brush
Sea of GlassGleam Glitter Cream by Vivid Glitter

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Pam Kinneberg is the owner and artist for her business, PiKadilly Face Painting located near Fargo, North Dakota. She has won numerous contests and can be found in various magazines including SkinMarkz Magazine, The Colored Palette, QMagazine, Wet Paint Magazine and SillyFarm Newsletters. 

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