Crayon resist art is a fun and magical activity for kids of all ages. The idea is simple: draw a picture with crayons, then paint over it with watercolor. The crayon lines “resist” the paint, so they show through brightly against the painted background. It’s a great way to teach kids about cause and effect, and the results are always surprising and beautiful. You probably have everything you need at home already.
What You’ll Need
- White paper (thicker paper like watercolor paper or cardstock works best, but regular printer paper is fine for a quick try)
- Crayons (any colors, but white crayons are the secret star – they create a hidden picture)
- Watercolor paints (a basic set of washable watercolors is perfect)
- A paintbrush (a medium round brush works well)
- A cup of clean water for rinsing
- Paper towels or an old rag for blotting
- A smock or old t-shirt to protect clothes
- Newspaper or a plastic tablecloth to protect your work surface
Step-by-Step
- Set up your workspace. Cover the table with newspaper or a plastic tablecloth. Put on the smock. Fill the cup with water. Have your paper, crayons, paints, and brush ready.
- Draw your picture with crayons. Press firmly with the crayons to leave a thick, waxy line. The harder you press, the better the resist will work. You can draw anything – a fish under the sea, a house in a storm, a flower garden, or just abstract shapes and patterns.
- Tip for a hidden surprise: Use a white crayon to draw a secret message or a hidden shape on the paper. It will be invisible until you paint over it. This is a huge hit with kids.
- Mix your watercolor paint. Use a clean brush to pick up some water, then mix it into a paint color. You want the paint to be liquid, not too thick. If it’s too dry, add a little more water.
- Paint over your drawing. Start painting with broad strokes over the entire paper. Don’t scrub – just gently wash the color over the surface. The crayon lines will stay bright and clear, and the paint will fill in the empty spaces.
- Use multiple colors. You can paint different sections different colors, or let colors blend together on the paper. For a fun effect, try painting a blue wash over a white-crayon drawing of raindrops – the raindrops will appear like magic.
- Let it dry. Once you’ve covered the whole paper, set it aside to dry. The paint will look darker when wet, but it will lighten as it dries. The crayon lines will stay bright.
- Admire and display. Once dry, your resist art is ready to hang on the fridge, give as a card, or frame as a gift.
Common Mistakes
- Pressing too lightly with the crayon. If the crayon lines are thin or faint, the paint will cover them. Always press firmly.
- Using too much water. If your brush is dripping wet, the paper can get soggy and tear. Always blot your brush on a paper towel after rinsing.
- Scrubbing with the brush. Scrubbing can lift the crayon wax off the paper and mix it into the paint, making everything look muddy. Use gentle, sweeping strokes.
- Painting over the same spot too many times. This can also break down the crayon wax. One or two passes is enough.
- Using washable crayons. Washable crayons are designed to be cleaned off surfaces, so they won’t resist the paint well. Regular, non-washable crayons work best.
Tips
- Test your crayons first. If you’re not sure whether your crayons are washable, do a quick test on a scrap piece of paper. Draw a line, paint over it, and see if the line stays.
- Use a limited palette. For a striking effect, use just one or two paint colors, like a dark blue for an ocean scene or a green for a jungle.
- Encourage patterns. Kids can draw zigzags, dots, swirls, or repeating shapes with the crayons. The patterns will pop against the painted background.
- Try oil pastels. Oil pastels are like crayons but softer and even more resistant to water. They give a similar effect with a slightly different texture.
- Make it a science lesson. Talk about why the crayon resists the paint – the wax is waterproof, so the watercolor can’t soak into the paper where the crayon is.
Troubleshooting
- The paint is covering the crayon lines. This usually means the crayon lines were too light. If the paint is still wet, you can try to blot it off with a paper towel, but it’s often easier to start over on a new piece of paper and press harder this time.
- The paper is tearing. This happens when the paper is too thin or the paint is too wet. Let the paper dry completely, then try again on thicker paper (like cardstock) with less water on your brush.
- The paint is beading up on the crayon. That’s actually a good sign – it means the resist is working! Just keep painting; the beads will dry and leave the crayon line clear.
- The colors are muddy. This usually happens when you scrub too much or use too many colors on top of each other. Let each layer dry before adding more, or just use fewer colors.
- The white crayon drawing is invisible. That’s the whole point! The white crayon drawing only shows up after you paint over it. If you want to see it while drawing, use a light-colored crayon instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use regular printer paper? Yes, regular paper works, but it can wrinkle or tear if you use too much water. Thicker paper like cardstock or watercolor paper holds up better.
- What kind of paint should I use? Watercolor paints work best. You can use liquid watercolors, watercolor pans, or even a watercolor set from a dollar store. Avoid acrylic or tempera paint, as they are too thick and will cover the crayon.
- Can I use markers instead of paint? Markers are water-based and will not resist the crayon. They will color over the crayon lines, hiding them. Stick with watercolor paint.
- What if my child is too young to draw a specific picture? Let them just scribble with the crayons – scribbles make beautiful resist art. You can also draw simple shapes like circles or squares and let them fill them in.
- How long does it take to dry? Depending on how much water you used, it can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. You can speed it up with a hairdryer on a cool setting, but be careful not to melt the crayon.
- Can we do this with other materials? Yes! You can try the same technique with oil pastels, or even with a white candle (but adult supervision is needed for candles). You can also use food coloring mixed with water as paint.
Crayon Resist Art for Kids: Easy Step-by-Step Guide