3 techniques, 2 days, 1 mr. seahorse

Pin It Inspired by this assignment from Deep Space Sparkle - a fantastic art blog - we set out to produce artwork like the great Eric Carle too. I thought this would be a fun project to try on this summer day - because A&N love Mr. Seahorse and it brings back memories of our beach trip.  The layers, techniques, and two-day process was part of the beauty of this art project. Most of the time when kids do "art" they have an idea in mind. Here, they discovered how "art" itself can be pieced together - to make even bigger art.

First step - Mr. Seahorse {Tempera Paint}
On plain white butcher paper, or what ever you have on hand, create colorful textures with tempera paint and using different brushes and strokes to fill the page.

Mr. Seahorse

Colors should bleed together.
Mr. Seahorse

Try sponges, rollers, big and small brushes. "Water-down" your colors so that they blend and bleed together - covering all of the white underneath.

Mr. Seahorse

While Noah's art was still wet, he sprinkled white glitter on top. You could also coat the sheet with clear-drying glue and apply glitter or crayon-shavings for fun.

Mr. Seahorse

Second Step - the Sea {Watercolors}
Use a large sheet of white paper, or butcher paper, to create the background. Water colors {which we haven't used in a long time} was fun for the kids - as the application and results are entirely different. Set both sheets aside to dry.

Mr. Seahorse

Mr. Seahorse

Third Step - Coral reef {food coloring}
This was something new for even me to try. Use what you have at home to add another dimensional art piece. We used coffee filters and food coloring. Our filters are the pocket kind, so I opened these up and folded it accordion style. Then the kids squirted drops of food color on the filter.

Mr. Seahorse

Making unique patterns with the 4 colors.

Mr. Seahorse

Use a water bottle and spray away!

Mr. Seahorse

You'll have to jiggle the tray a bit to blend the colors. Set outside to dry.

Mr. Seahorse


Day Two!
If you have the book Mr. Seahorse, trace him directly from there or try this link for the template. Cut out a "seahorse" from the middle of the painted paper the kids made from Day One.

Mr. Seahorse

First Step: Setting the Scene
We began with the water-colored sheet - and I described how what they created resembles the reeds - like in the book. They glued their dyed filter or "reef" and the unfinished seahorse to set the scene for Mr. Seahorse.

Mr. Seahorse

Second Step: Finish Mr. Seahorse
Using the painted paper left overs, the kids practiced using their scissors and cut out a "fin" and "spikes" and then glued them on.

Mr. Seahorse

Mr. Seahorse

A googly-eye later... and ta-da!

Mr. Seahorse

Final Step: Proud Art-work Presentations

Mr. Seahorse

Mr. Seahorse

1 comment:

  1. So adorable! I love all the different techiniques this brought into play -- so many 'mediums' on the same finished project! Gorgeous and fun :)

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