Chinese Brush Painting dates back to 4000 BC, with techniques being handed down from master to student. In contrast to what most of us are taught about art today, copying and the perfection of technique were more important and more highly valued than self-expression. Chinese Brush Painting uses simple strokes of a paintbrush to capture a single object or an entire scene. Teach … [Read more...]
Crayon Resist Snowflakes with Watercolor
One of the many fun ways to combine art and science is by making crayon resist snowflakes with watercolor. Students as young as kindergarten love learning how to draw snowflakes. And it's even more fun when you draw them with a white crayon so they magically appear when painted over with watercolor! Before you draw or paint... Begin this lesson by sharing some … [Read more...]
Easy Father’s Day Cards with Style!
Are these the cutest Father's Day cards, or what??! My friend, Kindergarten teacher Lori Dueck, shared this project with me years ago and I was amazed by how adorable every finished card turned out! A project this good never goes out of style! Most projects for Kindergarten include a bit of prep and this one is no exception, but it's pretty quick and totally worth it!! The … [Read more...]
Helpful Tips for Painting with Kids
No one likes having a “bad hair day”…. not even your paintbrush! When younger students are used to painting with liquid watercolors or liquid tempera, they often forget to add water to their paint when they start working with cake-style colors, like the popular Prang OVL-8 set (affiliate link). Without enough water to liquify the paint, students tend to grind their brush … [Read more...]
A Child’s Prayer for the World
This "Child's Prayer for the World" lesson is an updated repost (from my archives) of a project my friend, Barb Mendence, did with her 2nd graders every year. A project like this never goes out of style... and our world can use these prayers now more than ever! Not only is this a fun, easy art lesson that's adaptable to any grade level, it also makes a great geography lesson … [Read more...]
Send a Handmade Postcard to Support the Arts
Show your support for the Arts with a handmade postcard! January’s #CMACIVICKIDS Digital Challenge is a Postcard Party. When you send a postcard to one of your elected officials with your original art on the front, your message is more likely to get noticed. And a self-portrait will make your communication even more personal! You’ll Need: *card stock (if you have … [Read more...]
2 NEW Tips for Using Prang Watercolor Sets in Your Classroom
For decades, the Prang OVL-8 Watercolor Set has been a staple in elementary classrooms far and wide. Their convenience, consistent quality and affordable price is hard to beat. A while back I posted 6 tips for success using these popular watercolor sets, and then even more watercolor tips here. Adding to all this, one of my readers, a missionary teaching art to kids in … [Read more...]
Sunset Cityscapes
The examples in this post were done by 1st graders, but older kids will enjoy this, too. "No Rulers Allowed!".... if you want results that are charming and almost "Seuss-like"! For a typical class that meets for one hour or less, you'll want to do this project over 2 class periods. Materials: 9x12 watercolor paper (or heavyweight construction paper) watercolor set … [Read more...]
A Heart for Moms…. or Anyone!
Hearts, flowers, and a handmade touch are things that come to mind when I think of a gift for Mother’s Day. So why not combine all three to show some love to a mom.... your own or another special mom in your life? My friend Hazel McNab is famous for her hearts. She inspired herself with a challenge and a creative goal and painted a heart a day for several years. Now Hazel … [Read more...]
Hearts and Grit
Four years ago, I wrote a blog post about Hazel McNab, a woman who challenged herself to design a heart to go with an inspiring quote every day for a year. She held herself accountable by posting her journey online. It just so happened it was a Leap Year, hence the name of her blog: 366 Hearts. Well, it’s four years later, and let me tell you she is still going strong! As I … [Read more...]
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