Valentines Painting Ideas: Watercolor Resist Hearts
Looking for some Valentines painting ideas? This watercolor and crayon resist project might be just what you need. Crayons and watercolors always make a beautiful combination.
Some of my favorite Valentines painting ideas are inspired by usual combination of art supplies. The end result may look rather complex, but the process is rather simple. It’s all about layering colors, and using rubber cement to work along side the crayons to resist some of the paint.
To start, I really recommend using watercolor paper. I know it’s more expensive, but if there’s only one thing your can spend your money with a classroom budget, that would be my recommendation. The reason why my sample drawing has such bright colors, and all that splotchy texture, is because it’s on watercolor paper.
Getting Started
To get to the heart coloring stage, you have a choice of printing my template on watercolor paper, or having students draw their own. Back in my classroom days though, I found that students could get hung up on drawing even one “perfect” heart, let alone six of them. I decided speeding up the process by pre-printing them was worth it. After all, this lesson is about coloring and painting, not so much about drawing.
When coloring the hearts, crayons work well, as do oil pastels too. Ask your students to make each as dark and multi-colored as possible. Afterwards, the entire paper gets a quick watercolor wash. I recommend choosing a lighter color so the final painting doesn’t get too dark. The painting needs to draw completely at this point.
The next step, which isn’t photographed because I did this so long ago, is to take a jar of rubber cement, and paint one large swish or z-shape across it. The rubber cement is going to act as a sealer for that bottom color, and needs to dry completely too.
When that cement is dry, a second layer of watercolor is brushed over the whole paper. Again, let the painting dry.
Finally, my favorite part, rubbing off the cement. It should should come off easily when rubbed with fingers. Good watercolor paper will be thick and sturdy and make this process easier too.
One lesson that I believe Valentines painting ideas can teach? That adding layers of color to your art can do magical things!
Use the Button below to Download a PDF Tutorial
Six Heart Coloring Page
Materials for Valentines Painting Ideas
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- Watercolor Paper.
- Real watercolor paper always makes the watercolor paint much more vibrant.
- Pencil.
- The Ticonderoga brand are the most reliable, make nice dark lines when you need them, and are the easiest to erase.
- Crayola Crayons.
- This classic brand always works well.
- Rounded Watercolor Brush.
- A good paint brush can make all the difference in the world. Who can paint small details with one of those big floppy brushes? This style with a sturdy rounded tip were my hands down favorite.
- Liquid Watercolor Paint.
- These paints are so easy to work with, leave such bright colors and last for a long, long time. Well worth the investment.
- Non-Spill Paint Cup.
- Train your students to leave the matching brush in each cup after they use it, and you have an easy system with very little cleanup.
Directions for a Valentine Painting
Time needed: 1 hour
How to make a Valentine’s Day heart painting
- Print a template of 6 hearts, or make your own.
- Color all the hearts with crayons. Press very hard.
- Wash a light watercolor paint over the entire paper.
When dry brush a large Z shape with rubber cement. Let dry.
- Wash another color of watercolor paint over the paper.
When dry, rub off the rubber cement with fingers to reveal color underneath.
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