Snowy Winter Weather
Experiment with paint techniques to create a unique snow scene.
1. What do bears do in winter? Find information about how they hibernate. Look up information about polar bears, brown bears, and black bears. The Bear's Christmas relates hibernation to the Christian nativity story. Read this story, or several books that have painted snow scenes. Look closely at the pictures as you read.
2. You may notice that snow scenes seem to contain a great deal of space. Two artistic methods used to create this feeling of deep space are overlapping, in which larger objects are placed in the front and smaller objects in the back, and contrast. Objects in front have more contrast (brighter whites) than objects in back.
3. To begin your Wonderful Winter Weather painting, cover a table with newspaper. Use a small piece of crumpled paper towel to dab white Crayola® Washable Paint on blue paper. Begin with the background, which will be very light (have less contrast) to show that it's far away. To make a light background, blot the paper towel on scrap paper until it's nearly dry, then paint your paper. You may wish to make an irregular mountainscape, such as one with caves where bears might hibernate, then fill it in with light dabs.
4. Make a second, brighter landscape in front by dabbing your white paint on the paper without blotting it first.
5. Add trees by using an edge of the paper towel. Make blotted trees in the distance and brighter, bolder trees in the foreground. Trees look smaller when they are far away, and larger when they're closer, too. Use your fingertips to add branches and hanging bits of snow. Dry.
Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.
Crayola Washable Paints—Not for use as body/face paint.
- Create a snowy winter scene, dry, then add winter creatures or sports to the landscape with Crayola Colored Pencils.
- Experiment with other snow-painting tools such as sponges, cardboard, plastic picnic utensils, toothbrushes, and salt. How can you use these items to achieve different effects?
- Fold your blue paper in half, and only paint on one side. Add seasonal scenes for a beautiful winter holiday card. Write a message inside.
Very Voracious Animal Voices
Merry Animal Masks
If I Were an Animal
