Using paper, pencils, markers and some objects from around the home and classroom, you and your students can create some fantastic patterns that will astound and amaze.
By Andrea Mulder-Slater
It’s been said that creativity is the key to happiness and that by doing something creative every day, we can boost our moods (and productivity) tremendously. When you are fully immersed in a creative activity, your focus shifts away from day to day worries and stresses as you instead put all your attention on the immediate task at hand.
Some people like to write in a journal while others enjoy baking cookies. Still others express their artistry by arranging fresh cut flowers in a vase.
If you are looking for a simple, non-intimidating way to be creative today, have a peek at the following tutorial. It’s perfect for all ages and uses items you will already have in your home.
What You Need:
- Paper (8-1/2″ x 11″ or larger)
- Pencils
- Magic markers
- Rulers or other straight edges
- Round lids from various sized containers (margarine, yogurt, milk caps, etc.) Be sure to have a nice variety available – ask the kids to bring round items in from home. (Optional: compasses used for drawing circles can be used instead of the container lids, making for a good tie-in to math).
What You Do:
Start by drawing between 12 and 16 straight lines across the paper. They can go in any direction, just as long as they travel from one edge of the paper to the other.
Next, place your circular objects on the page and start tracing them. Add as many or as few circles as you like and let them overlap in some areas.
Now comes the fun part. Grab your watercolor paints – or crayons, pencil crayons, markers, etc. — whatever you have on hand. I used watercolors.
Begin filling in every other space with color. Take your time and don’t panic if you “mess up” just continue on and “go with the flow”.
Before you know it, time will have flown by and in the end, you’ll feel relaxed, recharged and… you might even have a funky work of art you’ll be proud to hang on your wall.
One Step Further:
Experiment with different color combinations. Try using two different colors instead of one.
Think about trying the complimentary colors together in the same design (red and green; blue and orange; violet and yellow).
If you are unhappy with the finished piece, why not find an section that you do like, cut it out with safety scissors and glue it onto a colorful piece of poster paper or cardboard?
