Grocery store Styrofoam and washable markers come together to make lots of sweet heart prints perfect for whipping up a batch of handmade valentines or sweet cards for any occasions..
When I think of traditional fall art projects I think of handprint trees, pumpkins on a fence, and a limited palette of warm “fall” colors. These lesson ideas aren’t traditional in that sense but they do use the best the season has to offer!
Being creative is perhaps the most calming thing to my personality. I had such a grumpy day the other day. It was a day of grown up temper tantrums (mine) that left me feeling deflated. Out came the markers, in came some leaves. A little creative brainstorming and my littles and I were absorbed in making these sweet and easy leaf prints with washable markers.
I believe in making art out of what’s available, using what you have. In Ohio right now we have an abundance of leaves. It’s green everywhere. Although this lushness won’t last forever while it’s here it’s pretty awesome and using the greenery to make more beautiful art just seems natural. All you need for these leaf mandala prints is some pretty little leaves and some watercolor paints!
“Ta ta, I’m off to make some collographs.” So fancy, right? While collograph may sound like a fancy art term the process itself is as simple (and gratifying) as can be.
A collograph is simply a print made from a collage of materials. So you’re looking to make a somewhat flat collage that can be rolled with ink or paint and then printed onto paper. In this case we used cardboard and focused on creating simple patterns. Follow along!
Do you encourage digging through the recycling at your house? How about the trash? Both are fair game here and if they’re not at your house you may change your mind soon. Found object printmaking literally turns your trash into treasure.
Printmaking is the bomb when it comes to art processes. There are SO many ways to do it that range from process art made with materials nabbed from the recycle bin to processes that require a lengthy list of expensive supplies and a highly skilled artist. This linocut portrait falls somewhere in the middle. Ya’ need a little “stuff” but the process and result are SO worth it!