Calming Crayon

Project developed by Ellen Gadberry; Project description written by Mandy Goodwin; Paint Love program staff

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Objective + Themes

Using resistance techniques in water color; using art to regulate emotions

Age Recommendation

5+

 

Supplies

  • Thick white paper

  • White crayon

  • Watercolor paints

  • Paint brushes

  • Cup of water

Prep

  •  For maximum calmness cultivation, create a calming space for kids, with music and dim lighting; Breathing exercises and stretching may be helpful ahead of time to get their body and mind ready to be calm and focused

Directions

  • Take a white crayon and draw a long, continuous scribble on the page.

  • Take watercolor and paint it over the image. The paint will highlight the scribble.

  • Fill in the enclosed shapes with different colors and patterns. Challenge them to cover the entire page. Once finished, the piece will look like a mosaic.

    Note:  There’s no right or wrong here. This is a calming exercise more about the process than the product. More about process vs. product here.

Discussion

How did it feel to create that piece? Was it calming? Was it frustrating? Do you feel different afterward? What was it like to see the color on the crayon?