Crayon Techniques

(This got moved from an earlier post- What to Do in Art Class" because it was getting too long as i kept adding examples or photos. This section will be devoted to Crayon Techniques only. More photos are planned.)

Crayons are a lot of fun, because so many things can be done with them. Here's a few ideas:

SHADING
At first, a single color may be used to practice making different shades from light to very dark or vivid. Next is suggested coloring an entire picture with various shades of the same color. Older students move on to coloring according to density of light and using more than one color.  When shading, color should always be applied lightly and then gradually adding more and more color, layer upon layer, according to what is needed.

FEATHERING
For this techniques, a drawing is first outlined vividly with chosen colored. Next, the colors are pulled out from the colored lines with an eraser to create a lovely, soft coloring. (This example is another exercise from the Share a Care Art Pac series.)

SCRAFFITO

First, heavy layers of crayon colors are colored, one upon the other, covered by a final layer of dark colored or black crayon (or black paint). Next, a drawing is etched, revealing a rainbow of colors from the lower layers.

CRAYON AND PAINT RESIST
First a picture is drawn with crayon. It can get a little trickie when drawing with white crayon on white paper. Next, paints (in this case tempera) of chosen colors are applied over parts of picture as desired. The finished result allows the previous colored portions to resist the paint since crayon has a waxy finish.

CRAYON COPIER
Need to transfer a design onto another page? Thickly color a piece of paper with crayon. Next, place the paper face down between a clean sheet of paper below and the design or picture to be copied above. Now draw over thea picture to be copied

This is a good method for transferring a paper template onto cardboard.

MULTI COLOR
Hold six crayons together at the same time to make a rainbow.

MORE IDEAS
Check online for more techniques.

Peacock Keepsake

Inspiration for this craft came from this link.



Using a child's hand for the feather as a template makes the "feathers". Cut two. The "sequins were made with a hole punch and silver foil and olive green paper. In this case, we recycled from a bag that spices were sold in, for the silver; the green paper came from a soap wrapper. Kids can color the peacock and glue on the decor. Framed, this can make a little keepsake of child's hand prints. The length of the peacock's body from crown to belly is a little more than the length from tip of child's thumb to the base of his hand.

Got Junk Mail?

Believe or not, junk mail can be a fun, educational tool. I collect it until the grandkids come over. Besides playing "post office", here's a few more ideas what to do with it:

• Practice writing their name, address and phone number in any blanks and forms given.
• Practice cutting with scissors on any dotted lines.
• Cut out and use coupons while doing pretend shopping.
• Follow any written directions included such as sticking a given sticker in the proper place.
• Utilize free magnets, colored paper, lettering, etc. for art projects.

Yesterday, I decided to put some cardboard boxes to use to make them a mailbox to play with along with the mail. I found my inspiration from the following link: click here. The postal logo can be found on Google images.

To extend this idea, growing writers can also be encouraged to write letters to family members or friends to put in their mail box.