This charming coloring page features an adorable, cartoon-style hippopotamus wearing a sun hat and relaxing on what appears to be a striped inner tube or pool float. The hippo is depicted with a happy expression, eyes closed in contentment, and a cheerful smile. Its round body is shown in a sitting position with small feet visible at the front. The well-defined outlines make this hippo illustration perfect for coloring enthusiasts of all ages.
Finding the Perfect Colors for Your Hippo
The key to creating a stunning finished piece lies in selecting the right colors that balance realism with artistic expression. Here's my professional guidance on coloring your hippo masterpiece:
Natural Hippo Colors
For a realistic approach, consider these carefully researched hippopotamus tones:
- Base skin tone: Use a blend of gray-purple in various intensities. Real hippos have a distinctive purplish-gray hue that ranges from medium gray to a subtle lavender-gray.
- Variations: Add depth by incorporating:
- Slightly darker gray-purple for shadowed areas (under chin, where legs meet body)
- Lighter lavender-gray highlights on the upper surfaces
- A touch of pink inside the visible nostrils
- Subtle details: In nature, hippos secrete a reddish oily substance that acts as natural sunscreen. You might add very subtle reddish-pink undertones in small areas for this authentic touch.
Creative Color Alternatives
If you prefer a more imaginative approach:
- Pastel dream: Soft lavender body with baby blue shading
- Tropical joy: Bubblegum pink with purple shadows
- Sunset hippo: Gradient from orange to deep purple
- Aquatic theme: Various blues from turquoise to navy
Sun Hat Suggestions
The sun hat offers an excellent opportunity for complementary colors:
Classic options:
- Straw-colored (light tan/yellow) with a contrasting ribbon
- White with blue or red hatband
- Natural tan with green band
Creative options:
- Rainbow striped
- Floral pattern
- Matching the float colors for visual harmony
Float Coloring Recommendations
The striped float provides a perfect canvas for vibrant colors:
Traditional pool float:
- Alternating red and white stripes
- Blue and white nautical theme
- Rainbow spectrum (ROYGBIV)
Complementary approach:
- Colors that contrast with your hippo (if hippo is purple-gray, use yellow and orange stripes)
- Analogous color scheme (if hippo is blue-toned, use blues, purples and greens)
Professional Coloring Techniques
To elevate your hippo from good to gorgeous, try these techniques:
1. Shading and Dimension
For colored pencils:
- Start with light pressure base layers
- Gradually build color intensity
- Add darker values in natural shadow areas (under chin, where body meets float)
- Use white or light colors to create highlights on the rounded surfaces
For markers:
- Use lighter tones first as base
- Add darker colors of the same family for shadows
- Consider using a colorless blender for smooth transitions
2. Creating Texture
Hippopotamus skin has a distinctive texture with few wrinkles. To capture this:
- Use tiny circular motions for a subtle skin texture
- Add slight color variations to suggest moisture
- Keep main areas smooth with minimal lines
3. Expressing Emotion Through Color
Your color choices can enhance the hippo's joyful mood:
- Warmer tones (with hints of pink or peach) create a happier feeling
- Cooler tones (blue-grays) suggest a relaxed, calm demeanor
- Brighter colors in the float and hat draw attention to the vacation theme
4. Background Possibilities
While the background is blank, you might consider adding:
- Gentle blue wash suggesting water
- Simple horizon line with blue sky
- Tropical elements like palm trees or beach umbrellas
- Leaving it white to keep focus on your beautifully colored hippo
Color Combination Recommendations
These professionally curated color pairings will create a cohesive, appealing finished piece:
1. Tropical Vacation
- Hippo: Medium lavender-gray
- Hat: Straw yellow with tropical flower accent
- Float: Alternating turquoise and coral stripes
- Optional background: Pale blue water with distant palm silhouette
2. Sunset Swim
- Hippo: Warm gray with subtle pink undertones
- Hat: Deep orange with red band
- Float: Gradient stripes from yellow to orange to red
- Optional background: Blue-purple water with sunset gold highlights
3. Classic Poolside
- Hippo: Traditional gray-purple
- Hat: White with navy band
- Float: Alternating white and blue stripes
- Optional background: Turquoise pool water with tile edge
4. Fantasy Rainbow
- Hippo: Lavender base with pink highlights
- Hat: Yellow with rainbow band
- Float: Rainbow striped (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)
- Optional background: White with scattered colored bubbles
Special Tips for Different Coloring Media
For Colored Pencils
- Layer colors gradually, starting with light pressure
- Use circular motions for blending
- Consider using a colorless blender pencil for smooth transitions
- White pencil can be used over colored areas for highlights
For Markers
- Work quickly to avoid streaking
- Consider the direction of your strokes (follow the hippo's curves)
- Test colors on scrap paper first
- Use a lighter shade first, then add darker tones of the same color for shadows
For Crayons
- Apply with consistent pressure for even coverage
- Use the side of the crayon for large areas
- Layer colors by applying lighter colors first, then adding darker shades
- Burnish (press hard) with a light color to blend previous layers
For Watercolors
- Apply light washes first
- Let each color dry before adding adjacent colors
- Use a slightly damp brush for smooth blending
- Consider leaving tiny white highlights for a sparkling water effect
Creative Extensions
After completing your hippo masterpiece, consider these artistic extensions:
- Story Creation: Write a short story about where your hippo is vacationing and what adventures await.
- Name Your Hippo: Based on the colors and personality you've given your hippo, what would be the perfect name?
- Seasonal Variations: How might you color this hippo differently for different seasons? (Winter holiday hippo, autumn hippo, etc.)
- Collection Development: Color several versions using different color schemes and display them together to show how color choices affect mood.
Fun Hippo Facts to Inspire Your Coloring
As you color, consider these fascinating hippopotamus facts that might influence your creative choices:
- Despite their rotund appearance, hippos cannot swim or float. They push off the river bottom and move by a series of bounds or galloping motions.
- The name "hippopotamus" comes from ancient Greek meaning "river horse."
- A hippo's wide-open mouth can reach 150 degrees - one of the widest mouth gapes of any animal.
- Baby hippos are born underwater and must swim to the surface for their first breath.
- The pinkish "sweat" hippos produce is actually a natural sunscreen and antiseptic that protects their sensitive skin.
Your hippo coloring page offers the perfect blend of relaxation and creativity. Whether you choose realistic tones or imaginative hues, this cheerful character is sure to bring a smile as bright as its own! Happy coloring!
