Whale Shark Friends Coloring Page

Whale sharks are the gentle giants of the ocean, covered in distinctive spotted patterns that make them instantly recognizable. Their friendly faces and the surprising variety of smaller fish that swim alongside them create a scene that’s both peaceful and full of interesting details to bring to life with color.

What colors work best?

The whale shark itself has a blue-gray back covered in white or cream spots, with a pale belly underneath. You could go realistic with slate blues and cool grays, or try something more imaginative like deep purples or teals. The surrounding fish friends offer a chance to add pops of color – think bright yellows for tangs, orange and white for clownfish, or silvery blues for smaller schooling fish. The water background works well in gradients of turquoise, aqua, and deeper ocean blues.

Did you know?

Whale sharks can grow up to 40 feet long, making them the largest fish in the ocean, yet they only eat tiny plankton and small fish. Each whale shark has a unique pattern of spots, kind of like a fingerprint – no two are exactly alike. Scientists actually use these spot patterns to identify and track individual whale sharks. Despite their massive size, whale sharks are known for being curious and calm around divers, sometimes even seeming to enjoy the company.

How to color this one

Colored pencils work beautifully for the whale shark’s spotted pattern since you can layer different shades of gray and blue to create depth. Leave the spots white or use a very light touch with cream or pale yellow. For the smaller fish, markers give you those vibrant, saturated colors that make them pop against the larger shark. Try using a light blue or white gel pen over darker colors to add water bubbles or light effects. Blend your background colors to create an underwater atmosphere rather than leaving it stark white.

Who’ll love this?

This one appeals to ocean lovers of any age, especially kids who are fascinated by marine life but want something less intimidating than a toothy shark. It’s also nice for anyone who enjoys scenes with a main focal point plus smaller details to work on. The repetitive dot pattern can be surprisingly meditative to color during quiet afternoon time.