Acrylics and Oil Pastels on a cardboard

THIS image is so cool by an elementary student. Who knew a cereal box could look so good?
This is a great way to have kids paint for fun with acrylic for the background then do simple drawings of animals with oil pastels.

Supplies:

cardboard (cereal box)

acrylic paints

brushes

rags or paper towels

oil pastels

images to look at

Mod-podge or spray fixative

Instructions:

1. Cut a piece of cardboard to the size you desire

2. Dump two colors of acrylic paint directly onto your cardboard

3. Paint the entire cardboard

4. Let dry (overnight)

5. Using oil pastels draw over top of the acrylic

6. Seal

Tips:

* The acrylic should be completely dry before you start to draw.

* It is best to give children images to look at while they are working. You could print off color images of different kinds of dogs for the students to look at then cover the front and back of the images with clear contact paper so they can easily be cleaned.

* Set the image next to the children's work area.
* Give the children a suggestion to paint something (dogs) but they can paint whatever they wish.

* To have art made by children look great, have them work on it for multiple days so they continue to add more detail and color.

* Oil pastels mix easily as you add more and more color and draw overt op of what you already drew.

* It is best not to give the children water because they will add too much to the acrylic paint and/or spill the water. Simply give the children a rag or paper towel to wipe their brush on.

* Oil pastels never fully dry so it is necessary they are sealed so they do not smudge.