Last Updated on July 12, 2026 by Dee
Jellyfish have this amazing way of captivating us with their graceful movements and almost otherworldly glow. If you’ve ever wanted to capture their ethereal beauty on paper, watercolor is the perfect medium to do it. In this blog post, I’ll share a curated collection of watercolor jellyfish paintings to inspire your creativity, along with some awesome tutorials that break down the process step by step. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned artist, you’ll find tips, tricks, and ideas to help you create your own stunning jellyfish masterpieces. And to make things even easier, I’m sharing some handy templates that you can use as a starting point for your own paintings. Grab our free jellyfish painting templates at the end of the post!
Watercolor Jellyfish Inspiration
These captivating paintings showcase the endless possibilities of watercolor jellyfish art. From whimsical cartoon jellyfish that would be perfect for a kid’s bedroom to more realistic interpretations for nature lovers, there’s something for everyone. And if you’re looking for other watery inspirations, be sure to check out my posts on watercolor sunflowers and watercolor backgrounds.
Watercolor Jellyfish Tutorials
1. Loose Watercolor Jellyfish Step by Step Tutorial
- Simplify Shapes: Start by sketching your jellyfish using simple shapes like mushrooms for the bell.
- Add Details: Use a light consistency of cobalt green to draw lines following the curves of the bell.
- White Highlights: Add opaque white to the lines for a glowing effect.
- Back and Edges: Paint the rest of the bell using a darker shade of blue or green.
2. Easy Watercolor Jellyfish Painting – Loose Painting Techniques For Beginners
- Wet-on-Wet Technique: Wet your paper before applying colors for a dreamy effect.
- Layering Colors: Start with lighter colors like yellows and pinks, then gradually add darker blues and purples.
- Create Texture: Use a dry brush technique to add texture to the tentacles and bell.
- Add Details: Use a fine brush to paint delicate lines and dots on the jellyfish. If you’re into dotwork, you might also enjoy my post on doodle art.
3. Watercolor Jellyfish Tutorial
- Wet-in-Wet for the Bell: Wet the area for the bell and then drop in a thick consistency of white paint to create interesting patterns.
- Create Tentacles: Use a script liner brush to draw in the tentacles, using the same white paint.
- Add Depth: Use darker shades of blue or purple to create shadows and depth. If you need a little inspiration with your color choices, check out my post on color palettes for Procreate.
Creative Ways to Use Your Watercolor Jellyfish Paintings
Now that you’re armed with inspiration and tutorials, let’s explore some fun ways to use your watercolor jellyfish paintings:
- Gifts: Who wouldn’t love a one-of-a-kind jellyfish artwork? Frame your paintings, turn them into greeting cards, or even use them to create personalized gifts like mugs or phone cases. If you’re looking for other gift ideas, check out my posts on free rose printables and free junk journal vintage printables.
- Wall Art: Turn your home into an underwater oasis by hanging your jellyfish paintings on your walls. Group them together for a gallery wall effect or use them as focal points in different rooms. You could even incorporate them into a mixed-media collage. If you’re into wall art, you might also enjoy my post on butterfly stencils.
- Digital Art: Scan your paintings and transform them into digital art prints, social media graphics, or even animated designs. You can also use them to create custom patterns for fabric or wallpaper. If you’re interested in digital art, check out my post on Procreate coloring pages.
- Cards and Stationery: Add a touch of whimsy to your snail mail by using your jellyfish paintings to create unique cards and stationery. They’re perfect for birthdays, thank you notes, or just because. You could even use them to create custom wrapping paper. For more card and stationery inspiration, check out my post on printable bumble bees.
- Home Decor: Let your creativity flow beyond the canvas and use your jellyfish paintings as inspiration for DIY home decor projects. Design custom pillows, tablecloths, or even create unique fabric patterns. For more home decor ideas, check out my post on junk journal covers.
The possibilities are truly endless! So get creative and let your jellyfish paintings add a touch of magic to your life.
Essential Watercolor Painting Supplies List
This is our go-to list of recommended watercolor painting supplies that we use for all our watercolor art, junk journaling, and art journaling!
**This page may contain affiliate links to products I have used or recommend. If you purchase something from this page, I may receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you.**
- Watercolors: Windsor & Newton is a reputable brand that offers high-quality watercolor paints. You can choose from their range of professional-grade watercolor tubes or pans, depending on your preference.
- Watercolor Paper: Look for cold-pressed, 140lb (300gsm) watercolor paper for the best results. This type of paper is durable and has a nice texture that’s ideal for watercolor painting.
- Brushes: A selection of round and flat brushes in various sizes will give you the versatility you need for different strokes and details. Sable or synthetic brushes designed for watercolor will give you the best performance.
- Palette: A mixing palette with wells for both mixing and holding your paints is essential. It can be a simple plastic one or a porcelain palette for a more luxurious feel.
- Water Container: Any clean jar or container will do, but having two for clean and dirty water can help keep your colors pure.
- Masking Fluid: This is used to cover areas of your painting that you want to keep white. Make sure to apply it with an old brush or a dedicated masking fluid brush, as it can ruin fine bristles.
- Pencils: A soft pencil, like a 2B, is great for sketching your design before painting.
- Eraser: A kneaded eraser is gentle on watercolor paper and can lift pencil lines without damaging the surface.
- Paper Towels or a Rag: These are useful for blotting your brush to control the amount of water and paint.
- Board: If you’re using watercolor paper from a pad or sheets, you might want to tape your paper down to a board to prevent warping.
Grab the Free Watercolor Jellyfish Templates
👉 Pop your email into the box near the top of this post and I’ll send these straight to your inbox — free!
Make sure to get these free Watercolor templates too, and check out my Youtube channel for Watercolor Tips & Tutorials!
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Watercolor Jellyfish: FAQ
Do I need to know how to draw to paint a watercolor jellyfish?
Not at all. A jellyfish is one of the friendliest subjects for beginners because you start with simple shapes — think of the bell like a mushroom cap or a soft dome, then add wavy tentacles underneath. You don’t need perfect drawing skills. If sketching still feels daunting, grab the free jellyfish templates at the top of this post and paint straight over the outline.
What’s the easiest technique for a glowing jellyfish effect?
Wet-on-wet is the one to reach for. Wet your paper first, then drop in light colours like yellows and pinks before layering in deeper blues and purples so they bloom softly into each other. For that lit-from-within glow, add opaque white lines along the curves of the bell, and use a fine brush or script liner for the delicate tentacles. It looks tricky but it’s mostly just letting the water do the work.
What paper and paints work best for this?
Use cold-pressed watercolour paper at 140lb (300gsm) — it’s sturdy enough to take all that water without buckling. For paints, a reliable brand like Winsor & Newton gives you clean, vibrant blues and greens whether you go for tubes or pans. Round brushes in a couple of sizes plus one fine liner will cover everything from the bell to the wispy tentacles.
How do I keep the white highlights on my jellyfish?
You’ve got two easy options. Either leave those areas unpainted and work around them, or use masking fluid to protect the whites before you paint, then rub it off once everything’s dry. Apply masking fluid with an old brush, not a good one — it can wreck fine bristles. Opaque white paint or a white gel pen added at the end works beautifully too.
Are the free jellyfish templates good for kids?
Yes. The collection ranges from whimsical cartoon jellyfish that are perfect for a child’s room to more realistic ones for nature lovers, so there’s a style for every age and skill level. Kids can colour them with pencils or markers, or you can print them onto watercolour paper and let them try loose painting. They’re a low-pressure way to get little ones (and nervous grown-ups) started.
What can I actually do with my finished jellyfish paintings?
Loads of things. Frame them for underwater-themed wall art, turn them into greeting cards or gift tags, or scan them to make digital prints, stickers, or fabric patterns. They also make gorgeous one-of-a-kind gifts — think mugs, phone cases, or a little gallery wall grouped together. Once you’ve painted a few, you’ll spot uses everywhere.
How do I get the free watercolor jellyfish templates?
Just pop your email into the box near the top of the post and I’ll send them straight to your inbox — completely free. They’re designed as a starting point, so you can trace them, print them onto watercolour paper, or use them as a guide while you follow along with the tutorials in this post.
It seems to me that a month or so ago you had some printable pictures to color of cows, I can’t find them anywhere. Do you still have them available to print?
Hi! Yes you can find them here… Cow Coloring Pages