School-aged kids will combine mediums as they create this fun and colorful project. These basic techniques can easily be used at home or in the classroom.
Mixing Colors and Mediums
It is important for artists of all ages to understand how colors and mediums work together. When artists understand these combinations, they can keep fewer supplies on hand while still being able to create an abundance of colors and projects.
Kids will need to choose 2 primary colors for today’s project. Then, bring out all of the supplies that you have readily available in those colors AND the secondary color that they create when mixed together.
Related: Review Primary and Secondary Colors with our free printable.
- Watercolor Paper
- Colored Pencils
- Crayons
- Watercolor Paints
- Acrylic Paints
- Oil Pastels
- Paintbrushes
- Paint Palette
- Paper Towels
- Water
- Extra Textures or Tools – Stencils, Bubble Wrap, Sponge, Corrugated Cardboard, etc.
Step 1
First, use a colored pencil in your secondary color of choice to sketch your design.
Step 2
Next, using your secondary color choice, paint the entire page with watercolor to create a base for your mixed media art.
Step 3
Continuing with the watercolor, use darker values to begin adding shadows and depth to your art.
Step 4
Next, explore combining primary and secondary colored oil pastels to create bold lines within your design.
Step 5
Continue to add lines and details to your drawing using various supplies, such as crayons!
Step 6
Another fun way to add to your art is by experimenting with new tools such as stencils, bubble wrap, corrugated cardboard, sponges, and so on.
Step 7
Finally, consider using watercolor for darkening the background to better showcase your design when adding the finishing touches to your project.
I love how our finished art looks! Since these projects are made on paper, they can easily be framed, clipped, or displayed in your preferred style.
I think projects are lots of fun when they allow students to empty out the supply closet. This project gives kids a chance to use their imaginations, experiment, and grow as artists. We were able to explore and learn a bit about what happens when colors mix together. Also, we learned what does, or doesn’t work, when layering various mediums. I believe this project easily introduces kids to the world of possibilities provided by mixed media art, encouraging them to explore the world around them through various colors and mediums.
Prep Time
5 minutes
Active Time
20 minutes
Total Time
25 minutes
Difficulty
Medium
Estimated Cost
$1
Materials
- Watercolor Paper
- Colored Pencils
- Crayons
- Watercolor Paints
- Acrylic Paints
- Oil Pastels
Tools
- Paintbrushes
- Paint Palette
- Paper Towels
- Water
- Extra Textures or Tools – Stencils, Bubble Wrap, Sponge, Corrugated Cardboard, etc.
Instructions
- Use a colored pencil in your secondary color of choice to sketch your design.
- Use the secondary color choice to paint the entire page with watercolor. This will create a base color for your mixed media art.
- With the watercolor, use darker values to begin adding shadows and depth to your art.
- Use both primary and secondary colored oil pastels to create bold lines within your design.
- Continue to add lines and details to your drawing using various supplies, such as crayons!
- Experiment with tools such as stencils, bubble wrap, corrugated cardboard, sponges, and so on.
- Consider using watercolor to darken the background to better showcase your design when adding the finishing touches to your project.
Notes
Mixed Media and Colors Art Variations
- Use only one color in various supplies to create monochrome art.
- Add colored paper scraps or other materials to your project.
- Adapt project to fit a seasonal or holiday theme.
- Use only one color in various supplies to create monochrome art.
- Add colored paper scraps or other materials to your project.
- Adapt project to fit a seasonal or holiday theme.
Other Fun Mixed Media Art Projects from Kids Activities Blog
Did your kids enjoy exploring mixed mediums and colors in this project? What color combinations did they use in their design?
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