After the great success of our shadow drawing we decided to give the animals some context and create a beautiful African sunset background!
This is one of those things that turn out even better than you think it’s going to!
The African sunset is a beautiful reminder of nature in all its glory!
I have included a helpful instruction video at the end of the page that shows this art project step by step.
Let’s get started!
Safari Animal Shadow Drawing Materials
- We used an A3 size paper for the background. We used the back of a stash of paper – find anything sturdy. A cardboard box will do!
- Selection of colored paper. Your African sunset definitely needs red and orange and yellow to form a good gradient. The green and brown are optional. The animals just need something to stand on!
- Black markers like these
- Glue – Glue sticks like these are our go-to for papercrafts. Runny glue can make the paper curl!
- Safari animals. We used plastic animals and chose a giraffe for the contract in height!
- Sticks for a tree – optional but totally cool!
How to create your safari animal shadow drawing
- See video below for detailed help
- First, you create your background sunset by cutting and sticking paper in a gradient. A dark piece at the bottom – we used brown and green to form the ground, and the sunset made of red, orange, and yellow.
- Once the background was made we searched for a sunny patch.
- Stand the animals in such a way that their shadows are the most realistic. That is usually flat onto the sun – however some animals may have a turned head – like our elephant here below!
- We have a tall giraffe and a dancing elephant! Brilliant!
- Dylan held the sticks for the photo and then I held the sticks whilst he drew the shadows. You could plant the sticks in a cup of something else to hold them together!
- First trace your animals and tree with pencil and then color them in with a black marker.
- Easy art and WOW, what a result!
Looking for more easy paper craft ideas?
- Paper parrot with handprint feathers
- Paper flower art – great scissors practice
- Fish collage with warm and cool colors!
- Handprint Owl – hearts and heands!
- Popsicle stick puppet
