The story behind it
By TurkeyMom · October 2013
Ages3–6 yrs
Prep10 min
Activity15 min
Leveleasy
MessLow
Works for1:1 · Small group · Class
Draw a spider web on white paper with a white crayon, then brush a light wash of black watercolor over it and watch the web appear like magic. A simple first resist-art project for Halloween.
⚠️ Safety first
- Crayons and watercolors are art supplies, not food. Supervise younger children so they don't mouth them.
- Black watercolor can stain clothes and surfaces. Cover the table and use smocks if needed.
Before the kids arrive
- For younger kids, draw a simple spider web with the white crayon on a sheet of white paper before they arrive.
Steps
Set out white paper, a white crayon and black watercolors.
Draw a simple spider web on the paper with the white crayon, or use a sheet an adult drew ahead.
Call it "magic painting" and invite the kids to paint.
Wet the brush and pick up some black watercolor.
Brush a light wash of black over the whole sheet.
Watch the white spider web appear "magically" through the paint.
Let the painting dry.
Try it again with other watercolor colors.
Tips
- Throw the word "magic" around and watch their eyes double in size. It got our kids zooming to the table.from the author
- Use a light wash of black watercolor so the white web shows through.from the author
- Talk about the resist technique, what crayons are made of and water's effect on crayons. My 5-year-old found it all fascinating.from the author
- Free-spirited artists can draw their own web; for a 3-year-old, an adult can draw the web ahead of time.from the author
Make it your own
- Let kids draw their own spider web with the white crayon instead of painting over an adult's drawing.
- Experiment with other watercolor colors over the white crayon.
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