Fishing Otter in a Rowboat, Calico Critters Pond Scene

A gentle color plan to get started — mix in your own anytime.

• warm brown
• honey brown
• bright green
• sky blue
• golden tan
• leaf green
• lime green
• cream beige
• golden yellow
• dark brown
• forest green
• soft blue

A suggested order, zone by zone — skip around as you like.

1. 1Start with the big water and sky areas: color the pond water in sky blue and soft blue, and leave the sky background white.
2. 2Fill the lily pads, the bushes, and the grass and cattails with bright green, leaf green, and lime green, leaving the grass highlights white.
3. 3Color the otter's body and paws in warm brown, add cream beige to the belly and cheeks, and use dark brown for the tail.
4. 4Paint the wooden rowboat and oar with honey brown and golden tan, then color the bucket hat in leaf green with forest green on the brim.
5. 5Add golden yellow to the fish and orange to the jumping fish, and color the frog lime green with its spots kept in the same tone.
6. 6Optional: Finish with small details like the coral red bobber and pale aqua water splashes, leaving the eye whites and little shine spots white.