Faith CoLab: Tapestry of Faith: Spirituality and the Arts in Children's Programming: A Resource for Religious Educators

Combination activities

Subtractive process: revealing something

  • Add crayon markings to heavy paper, then cover with them thick black paint. When the pain has dried, use a wooden popsicle stick or toothpick to scratch design through paint to make a drawing. The scratches become lines, revealing the color beneath.
  • Make two separate paintings, then cut or punch several holes through one layer. Glue to bottom layer so reveal second painting through the openings.

Additive process: adding other materials or layers

  • Using acrylic paint, paint an entire sheet one color and let dry. Then add lines and squiggles of another color on top.
  • Add small pieces of tissue paper to paint as you work, anchoring the paper with the paint.
  • Draw with crayons on painting paper, then paint over the crayon with watered-down paint. the drawing will take on a new dimension with the paint but will not be covered.