by Jennifer Barrett
With Independence Day quickly approaching, here is a tried and true art project to ring in the holiday. We all anticipate staying up late to watch explosions of bright colors and shapes fill the night sky, and now we can create our own fireworks show to display long after the festivities end.
Inspiration:
The night sky on the 4th of July is the inspiration for this project. Using everyday materials and a festive subject matter, kids of all ages can create fireworks shows with the night sky as the backdrop.
Everyday Art Lesson:
Subject Focus: Fireworks
Mess Factor: Moderate
Ages: Can be modified for ages 1-18 years
Objectives: Kids will create fireworks show using different materials.
Babies, toddlers, and younger kids: Fireworks drawings
• Black or dark blue paper
• Liquid chalk or bright crayons
Or
• Black or dark blue paper
• Glue
• Salt
• Watercolors or food coloring
Babies, toddlers, and younger kids can put their memories of fireworks on paper by drawing intersecting lines.
Ask your child if they remember the fireworks show, and start by drawing brightly colored asterisks on dark colored paper. Light and bright crayon colors show up well on dark paper, as does liquid chalk if you have it.
Take your fireworks show farther by drawing fireworks out of glue on dark paper. Add salt, and let dry. Kids can then paint the salt fireworks with watercolors or food coloring.
Older Kids: Create a Fireworks Show
Technique Focus: Crayon Etchings
Objectives: Older kids will create fireworks shows drawing.
Mess Factor: Moderate
Suggested Materials:
• White paper
• Crayons
• Newspaper
• Etching tools: wood stylus or leftover wooden BBQ skewers cut down to pencil size.
Older kids can create fireworks shows by making a crayon etching of the night sky. The key to a successful crayon etching is 2 layers of crayon. The first layer is brightly colored shapes with no black, and the second layer is solid black. You will need to cover the work surface with plenty of newspaper because bits of crayon get all over.
First, color the white paper with different bright and light colored crayons. Break up the space in jigsaw puzzle shapes, or any other way you find interesting. Color in these spaces with a lot of applied pressure so that there are no white spaces on the entire sheet of paper, unless white crayon has been used to color in a space.
Second, color the entire piece with black crayon, as the second layer, completely over the first layer of color. Use a lot of applied pressure and color heavily, making sure there are no colors or white spaces peeking through.
Take a wood stylus, or wooden BBQ skewer cut down to pencil size to draw the night sky. Etch asterisks, stars, and even a city skyline at the bottom of the paper to add interest and details. The more textures you add, the more colors and details show through.
Voila! You’ve created your own fireworks show!
(TIP: Always check for the ASTM d-4236 standard and ACMI AP seal, which should be on all art materials given to children. Materials are like ingredients. Many things can be substituted for what you have on hand.)
Feel free to email any questions or comments to info@creativespacearts.com, or visit my website at www.creativespacearts.com. I aim to create an open exchange of ideas and best practices.
References:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/71494712810193108/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AfwdZs07jMhV-0i7JaiSDJuAhxtYiG3_UvAJrmZWHJeVcxUdTmGyvws/
Jennifer Barrett is the Arts Liaison, Data Specialist, and Performing Arts Coordinator at a public junior high school in Brooklyn. She has taught visual arts there since 2002. During this time, she has guided countless students through the rigorous audition process of portfolio development, with many gaining acceptance into some of NYC’s most prestigious art schools. She founded Creative Space Arts in 2014 to offer a different kind of all-ages art studio, always changing and inspired by the immersive environment of galleries and other creative spaces. In the spring of 2016, she launched Sip 'n Sculpt to bring a fun and relaxing creative outlet to neighborhood bars and restaurants. Answering to student and customer demand for accessible and affordable art materials, she founded Sticky Fingers Art Supply Co. in March of 2017 to promote high quality art supplies for a steal of a price.
Her writing is published in Home Educators Resource Directory and the #besomebody. blog. Jennifer’s paper creds include: B.F.A. in Drawing, M.Ed., S.B.L Certification.
With Independence Day quickly approaching, here is a tried and true art project to ring in the holiday. We all anticipate staying up late to watch explosions of bright colors and shapes fill the night sky, and now we can create our own fireworks show to display long after the festivities end.
Inspiration:
The night sky on the 4th of July is the inspiration for this project. Using everyday materials and a festive subject matter, kids of all ages can create fireworks shows with the night sky as the backdrop.
Everyday Art Lesson:
Subject Focus: Fireworks
Mess Factor: Moderate
Ages: Can be modified for ages 1-18 years
Objectives: Kids will create fireworks show using different materials.
Babies, toddlers, and younger kids: Fireworks drawings
• Black or dark blue paper
• Liquid chalk or bright crayons
Or
• Black or dark blue paper
• Glue
• Salt
• Watercolors or food coloring
Babies, toddlers, and younger kids can put their memories of fireworks on paper by drawing intersecting lines.
Ask your child if they remember the fireworks show, and start by drawing brightly colored asterisks on dark colored paper. Light and bright crayon colors show up well on dark paper, as does liquid chalk if you have it.
Take your fireworks show farther by drawing fireworks out of glue on dark paper. Add salt, and let dry. Kids can then paint the salt fireworks with watercolors or food coloring.
Technique Focus: Crayon Etchings
Objectives: Older kids will create fireworks shows drawing.
Mess Factor: Moderate
Suggested Materials:
• White paper
• Crayons
• Newspaper
• Etching tools: wood stylus or leftover wooden BBQ skewers cut down to pencil size.
Older kids can create fireworks shows by making a crayon etching of the night sky. The key to a successful crayon etching is 2 layers of crayon. The first layer is brightly colored shapes with no black, and the second layer is solid black. You will need to cover the work surface with plenty of newspaper because bits of crayon get all over.
First, color the white paper with different bright and light colored crayons. Break up the space in jigsaw puzzle shapes, or any other way you find interesting. Color in these spaces with a lot of applied pressure so that there are no white spaces on the entire sheet of paper, unless white crayon has been used to color in a space.
Second, color the entire piece with black crayon, as the second layer, completely over the first layer of color. Use a lot of applied pressure and color heavily, making sure there are no colors or white spaces peeking through.
Take a wood stylus, or wooden BBQ skewer cut down to pencil size to draw the night sky. Etch asterisks, stars, and even a city skyline at the bottom of the paper to add interest and details. The more textures you add, the more colors and details show through.
Voila! You’ve created your own fireworks show!
(TIP: Always check for the ASTM d-4236 standard and ACMI AP seal, which should be on all art materials given to children. Materials are like ingredients. Many things can be substituted for what you have on hand.)
Feel free to email any questions or comments to info@creativespacearts.com, or visit my website at www.creativespacearts.com. I aim to create an open exchange of ideas and best practices.
References:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/71494712810193108/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AfwdZs07jMhV-0i7JaiSDJuAhxtYiG3_UvAJrmZWHJeVcxUdTmGyvws/
Jennifer Barrett is the Arts Liaison, Data Specialist, and Performing Arts Coordinator at a public junior high school in Brooklyn. She has taught visual arts there since 2002. During this time, she has guided countless students through the rigorous audition process of portfolio development, with many gaining acceptance into some of NYC’s most prestigious art schools. She founded Creative Space Arts in 2014 to offer a different kind of all-ages art studio, always changing and inspired by the immersive environment of galleries and other creative spaces. In the spring of 2016, she launched Sip 'n Sculpt to bring a fun and relaxing creative outlet to neighborhood bars and restaurants. Answering to student and customer demand for accessible and affordable art materials, she founded Sticky Fingers Art Supply Co. in March of 2017 to promote high quality art supplies for a steal of a price.
Her writing is published in Home Educators Resource Directory and the #besomebody. blog. Jennifer’s paper creds include: B.F.A. in Drawing, M.Ed., S.B.L Certification.
