Crayon resist projects involve layering watercolor or tempera paint over images drawn in crayon. Due to the wax in crayon, paint is unable to penetrate the areas when the crayon was applied on the paper. White crayon resist paintings use white crayons on a white background. A child draws any image on the white paper which will not at first be visible. While drawing, the child should try to press hard on the paper to create heavy lines. Thinned paint is used to cover the entire paper surface. As the child paints, the invisible white image appears. Finished paintings are set aside to fully dry and may be framed for a lasting keepsake.
Colored crayon resist projects use colored crayons to draw images that will show through the layer of watercolor or thinned tempera paint. Children can use this method to create self-portraits or landscape drawings. After drawing an image on paper by pressing hard with the crayon, the child applies a coat of paint. Children can use a variety of colors during the drawing and painting process. Use the resist method to create greeting cards for special occasions and holidays. For example, use red and white crayons to draw a candy cane and then cover in a green paint for a unique Christmas card.
Crayon antiquing uses crayons and black paint on thick paper such as a brown paper bag or oak tag to create an antiqued finish. To complete the project, a child covers the paper with thick crayon layers. Using a brush, thinned black paint is placed on a small section of the drawing and wiped off right away. Using a tissue or soft cloth, the child polishes the area. The paint application and polishing is repeated until the entire paper has been processed in this manner. Metallic crayons are particularly suited for this project but any type of crayon is suitable. Finished pieces may be framed as pictures or cut and glued to a shoebox to create an antique finish box.
While crayon images are resistant to regular paint, black paint combined with liquid soap allows the paint to stick to the wax crayon in etching projects. Using any size paper or tag board, children are instructed to color the entire surface with brilliant colors. Once finished, no white should show beneath the crayon. Black paint is prepared by placing tempera paint in a bowl and adding three drops of liquid soap. The soap and paint are mixed with a foam brush that is used to apply the paint over the entire surface of the paper. The paint is allowed to dry overnight and the next day children use toothpicks to etch images or designs in the paint which reveal the crayon colors beneath. Images include flowers, ocean landscapes or any design of the child’s choosing.