Kids create a watercolor painting of fall trees using wax resist and sponge painting techniques. This art project is easily completed at home or in the classroom.
Watercolor Project Featuring Different Techniques
This Wax Resist Fall Trees Art Project is a fun way for kids to learn various watercolor techniques. We will explore adding crayons, sponges, and layers of watercolor to our art.
Related: Kids also enjoy this fun Underwater Scene Wax Resist Art Project!
Supplies Needed to Make this Wax resist Fall Trees Art Project
- Mixed Media or Watercolor Paper
- Crayons
- Permanent Marker
- Watercolor Paints – in fall leaf colors (yellow, orange, red, etc.)
- Kitchen sponge – can be cut into smaller pieces
- Paintbrush – a larger size works best for this project
- Water
- Paper Towels
Directions to Make Wax Resist Fall Trees ART pROJECT
Step 1
*See note on Step 4
Using crayons, and firm pressure, kids draw and completely color in tree trunks and branches. Tip: Emphasize firm pressure without breaking crayons. If enough pressure is not applied, the wax resist technique will not work.
Step 2
Using yellow watercolor, quickly paint the entire picture. Notice how the wax crayon resists the watercolor paint making this an easy and quick step.
Step 3
Use the sponge to add orange and red watercolor leaves to the trees. To do this, kids dot the sponge into watercolor paint, and pat the paper with the sponge, mixing colors as they move across the page. When wet colors are painted next to other wet colors, they tend to blend together. Kids may want to play around with this technique until they achieve desired result.
Step 4
When dry, with light pressure, outline tree trunks and branches with a permanent marker. Add details to trunk. Light pressure is important here, otherwise the marker can clog due to wax buildup from the crayons. If this happens, try to clean tip on a scrap piece of paper.
*Note: You may wish to draw permanent marker outline and details as the first step. Doing so would allow the project to be completed without having to wait for paint to dry and risking the markers getting clogged. Though, by drawing lines first, they would not be as bold and defined in the end.
Finished Wax resist fall trees Art Project
I love the vibrant colors of these fall trees! Since these projects are made on paper, they are easily framed, clipped, or displayed in your preferred style.
Our Experience Making this Wax Resist fall trees Art Project
This was a fun project that gave us a chance to experiment various techniques. I like that it combines simple techniques with beautiful results. It almost seems magical to watch the wax resist the watercolor paint. Plus, kids enjoy learning how a sponge can be an useful art tool!
Prep Time
5 minutes
Active Time
30 minutes
Total Time
35 minutes
Difficulty
Medium
Estimated Cost
$1
Materials
- Mixed Media or Watercolor Paper
Tools
- Crayons
- Permanent Marker
- Watercolor Paints – in fall leaf colors (yellow, orange, red, etc.)
- Kitchen sponge – can be cut into smaller pieces
- Paintbrush – a larger size works best for this project
- Water
- Paper Towels
Instructions
- * See Note on Step 4. Using crayons, and firm pressure, kids draw and completely color in tree trunks and branches. Tip: Emphasize firm pressure without breaking crayons. If enough pressure is not applied, the wax resist technique will not work.
- Using yellow watercolor, quickly paint the entire picture.
- Use the sponge to add orange and red watercolor leaves to the trees. To do this, kids dot the sponge into watercolor paint, and pat the paper with the sponge, mixing colors as they move across the page.
- When dry, with light pressure, outline tree trunks and branches with a permanent marker. Add details to trunk. Light pressure is important here, otherwise the marker can clog due to wax buildup from the crayons. If this happens, try to clean tip on a scrap piece of paper. *Note: You may wish to draw permanent marker outline and details as the first step. Doing so would allow the project to be completed without having to wait for paint to dry and risking the markers getting clogged. Though, by drawing lines first, they would not be as bold and defined in the end.
Notes
Wax Resist Fall trees Art Variations
- Change color palette to spring and summer tree colors with blues, yellow, and green watercolors.
- Explore one point perspective and draw trunks smaller at the top of the page than the bottom to add the illusion of height.
- Add animals, treehouses, fall decorations, etc into the tree drawings.
- Use washi tape (or similar) in the beginning to create a border and prevent kids from painting onto surrounding surfaces.
Wax Resist Fall trees Art Variations
- Change color palette to spring and summer tree colors with blues, yellow, and green watercolors.
- Explore one point perspective and draw trunks smaller at the top of the page than the bottom to add the illusion of height.
- Add animals, treehouses, fall decorations, etc. into the tree drawings.
- Use washi tape (or similar) in the beginning to create a border and prevent kids from painting onto surrounding surfaces.
Other Fun Fall Projects from Kids Activities Blog
Did your kids enjoy painting fall trees? Which method did they prefer, the wax resist or sponge painting?
