DOGS ~ WATERCOLOR PAINTING KIT

Watercolor painting is relaxing and fun for kids and adults.  Pre-printed pages makes it easy to enjoy painting and provides an opportunity to practice and develop your own style.  You can paint in the lines or outside the lines, wild and free.  Printed lines will show through no matter what style you choose. 

Dog illustrations are lighthearted and fun, with a folk art feel.

Kit contains ~ Six pre-printed pages with six different Dog illustrations on fine quality 140 lb watercolor paper, 8.5X11, and one blank sheet for practicing.  One set of Jack Richeson fine quality semi moist watercolors (non toxic), 12 colors.  Two paint brushes, and tips.   $14.00, sold on Etsy at etsy.com/shops/littleislandcompany.

PAPER MACHE DOG

  Paper mache dog made from a simple card board rectangle shape box is an easy fun craft for all ages.  Kids can make the entire project from start to finish or an adult can make the basic dog and give it to a child to paint any way they choose.  Lots of animals can be made from a basic box and when finished kids can use the box for "stuff".

 

To make paper mache dog, go to January 2016 post Paper Mach Cat and follow the instructions.  The only difference will be the ears and tail.  Remember to remind kids that they can paint their dog any way they choose, even green with purple dots.

CASTLE CRAFT PROJECT

Castles are fun for kids of all ages and even more fun when they get to paint their own.  Paper Mache castles are simple to make and can be made for a child to paint, any way they choose.  The fun part about a castle is after painted, it can be used for play or displaying toy characters.  Kids can create their own castle starting with cardboard boxes, tubes, cones and tape.  Paper mache is fairly easy but it does take a bit of time to do and there is a drying time of a day or two.  So if you are looking for a project to bring to a child, it is sometimes easier to create the basic castle first.

MATERIALS ~

You will need one box for the castle base, one a bit smaller for the second square piece, a cardboard tube (can be trimmed) and a cardboard or heavy paper/poster board cone which can be purchased from a craft store or online or created by you.  

The pink castle base in the picture has a base box that is 5x5 and the second box is 3x5.  The overall height of castle is about 16", with flag 19".  The second castle has a base box that is 6x6 and the tube is a bit longer. For tower, or tube, you can use a paper towel tube or a mailing tube, whatever you have, and then cut to size.  Your castle can be any size you choose (even extra big!) and if you don't have boxes, you can create the pieces you need out of cardboard. 

You will also need ~ masking tape, glue, liquid starch (I prefer this for paper mache but you can use any recipe you like), newspaper strips, Gesso for undercoat or any white acrylic paint, acrylic paints (the 2 ounce bottles of acrylic craft paint at craft stores work really well) in assorted colors, paint brushes, scissor, clear acrylic top coat for a strong shiny finish.

To create basic castle, mark and cut an arch out of base piece.  mark and cut little pieces out of top section of second piece.  Glue or tape second piece to base, then glue or tape tube to base and to side of second piece, glue cone to "tower".   You are ready to paper mache your castle but if you are in a rush or do not want to paper mache, you can paint your castle now.  I like paper mache because it makes pieces strong, even, smooth, and a little easier to paint.  

Cover castle with a smooth layer of paper mache.  One layer is typically enough but if you prefer two (for extra strength and smoothness), wait for first layer to dry before applying the second.

I prefer liquid starch because it is neat and easy and provides a nice crisp surface.  You can find liquid starch at larger markets and Smart and Final.  There are also lots of different paper mache recipes (many online), such as flour and water, glue and water, that work well.  Just dip torn newspaper strips through starch, squeegee through fingers, and apply to castle. 

Paint an undercoat with Gesso or any white acrylic paint.  I prefer Gesso as it covers so well.  A white undercoat is a good idea because the newspaper is grey and dull and white is a better background for colors.  

 

After Gesso is dry, castle is ready to paint.  Encourage kids to paint their castle any way they choose, any colors.  Remind them that one way to add details or designs is to paint a color first, wait for it to dry, and then paint designs etc next as acrylics are great for adding colors on colors, even light on dark.  When paint is dry, for strength and shine, add a coat of a clear acrylic top coat. 

 

To make flag, use any small stick, skewer, craft or baking stick.  Cut a flag shape out of heavy paper or poster board, curl the straight edge a bit, add some glue and fold it around the stick top and hold until it sticks.  Craft glues work well or glue gun if an adult is in charge.  You may need to cut a little bit of cone top off to fit stick inside.

 

A castle is a wonderful project for a child needing to spend quiet time, time in a hospital or clinic.  You can encourage kids to make animals, characters, and trees (shown in picture) out of paper or cardboard to go with castle.  Or you can purchase little characters, animals or toys to go with castle to make a creative experience even more fun.  Interactive art, it's good for kids!

 

ELEPHANT PAPER MACHE CRAFT

 

Paper Mache elephant is an easy craft for kids of all ages.  Elephant can be created by an adult for a child to paint or with a little help, kids can do the paper mache part as well.  Paper Mache takes a little patience and experience but it gets easier with practice and the creative possibilities are endless. Kids love the fact that these animals, created out of little boxes (typically 4x4x6) can be used to store toys and treasures.

The elephant is made the same way as the paper mache Cat project posted January 11, 2017, so refer to that project for instructions and materials you will need.  

For elephant face you will cut a circle (slightly larger than your box), 2 big ears, a trunk, a tail, and four legs.

The size box I used is 4x4x6 but you can use any rectangle size box you choose...even extra large.  If you do not have a box, you can create one out of cardboard.  Elephant does not have to be gray and can be any color or colors child chooses.  

After cutting cardboard pieces and taping and gluing to box, elephant is ready for paper mache and a coat of Gesso before painting.  Again, see paper mache Cat project, January 11 for How To's.