Kids Art: Painting Octopus with Watercolors and Glue

It's been way to long since I posted a Kids Art Tutorial!!

So I thought I'd share some octopi my art students painted a summer ago...

This would be a perfect art project for a elementary classroom studying Marine Biology...

By The Way...

Did you know, we grow the worlds largest Octopus right here in the Puget Sound?

(The largest know one weighed 600 lbs and had an arm span of 30 feet.)

Anyway....

I started out having the kids draw an octopus in pencil, asking that they use the whole page for their design with some parts going totally off the paper....

The next step is to go over the design with colored glue.  This time we used black.

If you haven't colored glue before its easy, just add some acrylic paint to a bottle of glue and then stir like heck till it's all mixed in ( I use a chopstick to stir).  Then use the glue bottle to go over your drawing.

The glue works as a raised resist so after it's dry, finish your painting with watercolors.

 This talented group of kids made me look good.  :)

For more Kids Art projects check out these:  Colorful Fish, Giraffes, How to Draw a Deer,

Or 

Just search Kids Art using the "Search this Blog" button at the top of this page.

Thanks for visiting!!

Denise

I will be linking up to many of the parties on my side bar...do check them out.

Kids Art: Water Colors and Elmer's Glue...

Last week was my last after school art class for this year....So sad!!  :(

I truly had the best group of kids, and they turned out some fantastic art work!!

I think this last project is proof of their artist ability!! 

These are kids from 1st to 5th grade....

MIGHTY - FINE!!

So here is the fun and simple lesson....

Like usual it started out as a directed draw on the wipe board, this time of my old Betta "Flame"...

(who sadly he is no longer with us).

Any-hoo

After completing their drawing, I had the kids trace over their lines with Elmer's Glue, mixed with black acrylic paint.  (I just gave each glue bottle a few good squirts and then mixed it up the best I could).

I also had them practice on a scrap piece of paper, just to get the hang of it...

You need a nice even pressure on the bottle.

We then left them to dry until the following week...

That's when the real fun began....

Time to paint!!!

The glue works a s a wonderful barrier and keeps the watercolors where they belong...

Well mostly.  :)

And..

The thick Black outlines really make the colors pop!!

Yes I know these last 3 fish aren't Betta's...

My assistant Joanna did the directed draw for these lovelies...

Nice job Joanna!!!

Although this was my last class...don't worry I do have one more

 "Kids Art" project to share with you...

Some very cute hippos.

So...

Check back soon and until next time...

Thanks for dropping by!!!

Denise

 I will be linking up to many of the parties on my side bar...

do check them out!  :)