November:A Month to Celebrate

In our household November is a month to celebrate. 

Seven birthdays of immediate family members: three grandchildren, one son, a daughter-in-law and both my mother and mother-in-law and then there is Thanksgiving.

The celebration only ends to begin the next one. 
And me.... trying to watch my weight!
Good luck with that!

In the spirit of celebration our November projects have been the Pinata del Estrella (six pointed star), our rainbow fish pinata and a cornucopia.
Not one of them has been completed until the day of the party so far.  We are usually rushing to glue on the last few pieces of tissue paper to fill the bare spots.  

Side view of Rainbow pinata

Check out the kissy lips on this fish!

All pinatas nearing completion, Reese comes in from school asking if we could make a cornucopia.  I am assuming I must have reached Super-Nana rating in her mind since she just assumed I would know how to make one.  You know, just whip one up right quick so....
we just whipped one up right quick!

Now Pearson, 3 months shy of four is planning our Christmas tree pinata. 

Where do they get this ideas?

Okay, it going to be a beauty!

Papier mache cornucopia embellished with moss and dried leaves and greenery from the yard.

Child's Play Mixed Media

My grand daughter has a shirt that says, "I learned everything I need to know in kindergarten."

She is in kindergarten!
I am expecting this to be a really busy year for her.

Crayon and glue line drawing and painting has started.

In my high school art class we are leaving behind the papier mache pumpkins, pinatas and masks we have been making and are moving on to mixed media.
The supplies we are using for the assignment are all the things you would use in kindergarten:

Crayons

Glue and

Prang or Crayola Brand Watercolor (8 color tray)

I set out bunches and bunches of cheap, artificial flower bouquets in red, yellows and oranges  I found at Walmart this past week for three to five dollars per bouquet.  I flooded the tables with the flowers for this spontaneous and quick painting.

• Begin by making a contour line drawing using crayon.  
• Switch to white Elmer's glue and continue drawing using glue, adding details, outlining and applying glue where light areas are needed.
• Set aside until all the glue is completely dry (up to 24 hours or more sometimes, depending on how deep the glue is).
• Drop a little water in the top of all the colors in the watercolor tray to begin moistening the colors so you will have very intense color available.  
• Wet only the area you want to paint such as one leaf or petal, apply color on one side of the wet area then apply a second color on the opposite side quickly, then stop!  Allow the water to transport the colors, blending sponanteously. Resist going in and "fixing" it.
• Paint directly on the paper using primary colors to create the secondary colors on the paper. (IE:Add blue on one side of a leaf then yellow on the opposite side and watch the green develop)
• Continue painting using this method.  
• When the paints are all dry go back and adjust colors as necessary, deepening the values and contrasts. 

Demo piece for Child's Play Mixed Media

Resist the urge to try to make the painting "perfect".
Often that is when you lose the painting by overworking. 

Most importantly, let loose and enjoy the spontaneous nature of watercolor.

Both the glue and the crayon resist absorbing paints leaving a white or faint area in it's play.