Create a gorgeous 3D Pattern Art White Ibis surrounded by its natural environment in the Australian wetlands.
This is a fun doodle art project for kids and the fourth in our freshwater animal series.
Most city-dwelling Australians are familiar with the common Bin Chicken… I mean, White Ibis.
Bin Chickens have become fixtures in city parks and other public spaces where people go to eat. They’re often spotted fishing around in bins with their long beaks, helping themselves to whatever goodies they can scrounge. Hence the name.
But really, they are and always have been graceful wetland birds. They’ve just been clever enough to learn how to thrive in urban environments, too.
And who can blame them for preferring deep-fried crustaceans, doughnuts and sandwiches to having to sift through mud to catch live prey? I wouldn’t want to go back to being a hunter-gatherer cavewoman after a taste of modern life either.
The ibis in this art project is pictured in its natural habitat. It’s far prettier than a garbage bin, don’t you think?
Cardstock is essential for this project. I’ve used a combination of graphic markers, fine liners and paint pens (affiliate link), which work great for the black-on-white patterning. You can use whatever materials you prefer to draw and colour with.
There are 2 template options to choose from as a base for your pattern art: An ibis and grass with divided sections to make patterning easier, and an ibis and grass with no sections for creative freedom
Age recommendation is 8 and up. Older kids will be able to create more complex patterns. Younger kids can still do this project with some adult help.
How to make a 3D Pattern Art White Ibis
You will need:
- Cardstock in white – 2 sheets per artwork
- Cardstock in blue or aquamarine – 1 per artwork
- Markers – permanent or graphic markers work best
- Fine liners for detailed patterning (optional)
- Acrylic paint markers
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- The White Ibis Pattern Art template, available from our printables store and also on ETSY
How to:
Print the Ibis and grass templates to white card stock.
Use black markers and fine liners to decorate the ibis with pattern art.
Colour the grass sections in shades of green. Use fine liners and/or paint pens to line and pattern art detail to the grass.
Cut the shapes out.
Cut the support strips out, then fold and glue them into squares.
Place the ibis on the backing page and mark where the stubs of its legs end with a lead pencil.
Remove the ibis and draw two water lines over the pencil marks using paint pen.
Use white and blue paint pen to draw a ripple effect across the water.
Stick the ibis onto the page, lining its leg stubs up with the water marks you made earlier.
Glue 6 support squares to the back of the grass, then glue it into place at the base of the page.
Glue 2 support squares to the back of the wing and glue it onto the ibis for a 3D effect.
Now hang your 3D Ibis artwork proudly on the wall and enjoy!
Also in this series
See all our Pattern Art projects here.
