Draw and Watercolor a Bee

What can I use instead of the black waterproof pen or watercolor paints if I can't find them?

If you don’t have a black waterproof pen, use a waterproof pigment liner (for example Sakura Pigma Micron) or a tested permanent fine-tip marker and if you don’t have watercolor paints, substitute diluted washable poster paint or watercolor pencils activated with a wet brush.

My ink smears or the paint keeps bleeding outside the pen lines—how do I fix that?

Follow the instruction to wait until the ink is completely dry before painting, test pens and paints on scrap paper first, use less water and blot excess with a paper towel, and use the small brush for the stripes to keep paint inside the pen lines.

How can I adapt this Draw and Watercolor a Bee activity for different ages?

For younger children pre-sketch the big oval and head and give a large flat brush and washable paints to fill color, while older kids can mix the two yellow tones with the palette, practice wet-on-wet wing washes, and add finer details with the small brush and waterproof pen.

What are some ways to enhance or personalize the finished bee painting?

Extend the activity by adding a simple floral or sky background with leftover washes, layering colored-pencil details over dry watercolor, adding a tiny dab of metallic paint or glitter on the stinger for sparkle, and then take a photo to share on DIY.org as suggested.