How to Paint a Panda with the Junior Artist Kit

Quick answer

You can paint a playful upside-down red panda using the Peek-a-Boo Panda design from the Junior Artist Painting Kit. This tutorial walks through the key steps so kids ages 7+ get a cute result on their first try.

Step-by-step panda painting guide

1. Set up your workspace and supplies: Lay out the Junior Artist Painting Kit canvas, brushes, and acrylic paints. Cover your table with newspaper or a drop cloth. Keep a cup of water nearby to rinse brushes between colors. A common mistake is letting paint dry on the bristles.
2. Paint the background sky and tree branch: Use a wide brush to apply a light blue wash for the sky. Let it dry, then paint a thick brown branch across the upper third of the canvas. Wait for the sky to dry completely before adding the branch, or the colors will muddy.
3. Block in the panda’s body and head: Using a medium round brush, paint an oval for the body and a circle for the head in dark brown. Position them so the panda hangs upside down from the branch. Keep the shapes simple and don't worry about perfect edges — you'll refine them later.
4. Add the panda’s face and markings: Paint white patches around the eyes, a lighter brown muzzle, and small black ears. Use a small detail brush for the eyes and nose. Check that the face markings are symmetrical before the paint dries.
5. Paint the cherry blossoms: Use the tip of a small brush or a cotton swab to dab pink and white dots around the branch. Layer a few darker dots over lighter ones for depth. Less is more — too many blossoms can overwhelm the panda. Aim for 5-7 clusters.
6. Let the painting dry and add final touches: Wait 30 minutes for all layers to dry. Add tiny highlights to the panda’s eyes with white paint to make them pop. If the white paint is too thick, dip the brush in a drop of water to thin it slightly.

What you need for this project

• Peek-a-Boo Panda: This playful red panda climbs high in a blossoming cherry tree, hanging upside down and peeking around at you. Recommended for painters ages 7+. The design teaches layering simple shapes and adding background flowers, giving kids a clear structure that still looks impressive when finished.