Laura Laxton - The Budding Artist

Chichester, Mary Jo Shannon, Mary Rozum Anderson, MaryAnn F. Kohl, Michelle Barnea, Mike Krestar, Nancy Gardner, Nicole Sparks, Pam Shelest, Penni Smith, Rebecca McMahon, Sandra Fisher, Sandra Gratias, Sandra Hutchins Lucas, Sandra L. Nagel, Susan Oldham Hill, Teresa J. Nos, Tina R. Woehler, Valerie Chellew, Virginia Jean Herrod Copyright 2012 Gryphon House, Inc. Published by Gryphon House, Inc.
PO Box 10, Lewisville, NC 27023
800.638.0928; 877.638.7576 (fax) Visit us on the web at www.gryphonhouse.com.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or technical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior written permission of the publisher. Every effort has been made to locate copyright and permission information. Cover illustration courtesy of Hannah Minney for iStock Photography. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data The budding artist / edited by Gryphon House; illustrations by Kathi Dery. pages cm (The budding series) ISBN 978-0-87659-384-4 (pbk.) 1.

Art-Juvenile literature. 2. Creative activities and seat work-Juvenile literature. I. Dery, K. Whelan, illustrator.

N7440.B83 2012
702.8--dc23 2011049432 Bulk Purchase Gryphon House books are available for special premiums and sales promotions as well as for fund-raising use. Special editions or book excerpts also can be created to specifications. For details, contact the Director of Marketing at Gryphon House. Disclaimer Gryphon House, Inc. cannot be held responsible for damage, mishap, or injury incurred during the use of or because of activities in this book. Appropriate and reasonable caution and adult supervision of children involved in activities and corresponding to the age and capability of each child involved is recommended at all times.

Do not leave children unattended at any time. Observe safety and caution at all times.

He can explore painting with branches or string or magnets. She can sculpt something from playdough or simply enjoy the experience of squishing clay. He can make glue glow and sparkle. She can see what happens when paint touches raindrops or ice. Expand your childs artistic horizons by branching out and experimenting with a variety of media. Your child will enjoy doing many of the activities independently, but the ideas in this book provide wonderful opportunities to spend time with your child as you create something together.

Enjoy the delight and wonder your child feels at all his discoveries. And save lots of room on the fridge and the bulletin boardyou have a budding artist on your hands! Tip: Budding artists can be enthusiastic (and not always careful) when they are creating their masterpieces. Use paint smocks or old shirts to protect their clothing.

Chalk, Crayons, & Crystals

Create your custom colors and make your mark! What Youll Need measuring spoons paper cups plaster of Paris powdered tempera paint, various colors tongue depressors or craft sticks 2 tablespoons water What to Do Use a tongue depressor to mix 1 tablespoon tempera paint and 1 tablespoon water in a paper cup, stirring until the mixture is smooth. Add 2 tablespoons plaster of Paris, and continue stirring. Repeat steps 13 to make additional colors. Locate a safe spot where the mixture wont be disturbed as it hardens. Locate a safe spot where the mixture wont be disturbed as it hardens.

Carry the cup(s) to that location. Allow the mixture to dry overnight or until it is very hard (about six hours). Peelor even rip!off the paper cup. Go outside, and draw pictures using the chalk! Try This! Use the chalk to practice writing your name, letters, and numbers. Books to Enjoy The Art Lesson by Tomie dePaola Chalk by Bill Thomson A Piece of Chalk by Jennifer A. Ericsson The Red Chalk by Iris van der Heide

The same chalk dust that leaves smudges all over your clothes and hands can make swirly art prints.

This activity is a good way to use up small and broken pieces of chalk. What Youll Need childrens safety scissors different colors of chalk (sidewalk chalk works best) newspapers shallow pan of water white paper (cut into shapes, if desired) What to Do Prepare the area by spreading out newspapers, then fill the shallow pan with water. Hold chalk over the water, and scrape it with scissors to create chalk dust, which will float on top of the water. (You may need adult help and guidance.) Scrape the chalk until you have many colors of chalk dust floating on top of the water. Three or four colors usually make a pretty print. Hold the paper, and place it gently on top of the water.

Do not push it under! Grasp two corners, and pick the paper up carefully. Look at the print. What happened? How did the chalk transfer from water to paper? Did the colors mingle at all, or did they overlap? How is the look created by chalk dust different from what paint would do? Allow the print to dry. If you want to make more prints, you may need to scrape more chalk dust onto the surface of the water. (You may be able to make four or five prints before you need to change the water because it is filled with chalk dust.