USING WATERCOLOR AS A CREATION TEACHING TOOL
Have you dabbled in watercolor painting? Kids and adults of all ages like watercolor, and creation items (like animals and flowers) are lovely in watercolor. Read on to see if using watercolor as a creation teaching tool may work in your curriculum. This post is sponsored by Frontgate Media and Emily Lex. All opinions are my own.
A few years ago, I attended a DIY and crafting conference. I was exposed to so many fun classes and crafting ideas, but I stepped out of my comfort zone and took one class on something that I was never very good at– painting. Specifically, watercolor painting. The teacher was excellent and provided us with the materials we needed to complete a painting and to practice more at home. I’ve occasionally painted since that day, and watercolor has been my favorite painting medium since that trip.
Recently, I discovered Emily Lex. She is a a creative who is using her gifts and talents for God in unique ways. Her passion is watercolor, and she does is oh-so-much-better than I ever could. But as I browsed her site and her classes, my mind began to wonder how I could use this painting medium in ministry.
If there is anything that I have learned in years of children’s ministry, children love to be creative. Some of the most in-depth conversations that I have had with children around Biblical truths have been during a faith-based arts and crafts project. Unlike with traditional teaching, children tend to open up and ask questions during an arts project.
As I looked over the workbooks and classes by Emily Lex, I noticed a common theme: creation. Creation is a theme that resonates throughout children’s classes at church, and it is one that I personally enjoy as demonstrated by the creation crafts that I share.
THOUGHTS ON USING WATERCOLOR AS A CREATION TEACHING TOOL
- Watercolor can use a palette of bright, traditional colors– colors that kids love!
- Watercolor paintings do not need a wide variety of supplies, allowing them to focus on the project and the purpose behind it.
- Teachers can use any coloring sheet printed on card stock. It is great for a low-cost project for churches!
- Anyone can do watercolor painting! I’m a prime example that not all watercolor paintings will be professional quality, but everyone can successfully try their hand at it.
- I’ve found that the best beginner watercolor projects are those without much detail. Flowers and animal silhouettes are awesome for this!
- Teachers can pair any creation story or lesson with a creation-specific watercolor craft, no matter the curriculum.
TOOLS ON LEARNING WATERCOLOR
Does using watercolor projects sound interesting but you’re not sure where to begin? I’ve found the workbooks and classes by Emily Lex very helpful, and I think you would, too.
EMILY LEX WORKBOOKS
The workbooks are a great way to begin. I have both the Flowers Workbook and the Animals Workbook. Each book has 10 beginner-friendly sketches with instructions to make it easy to get started. The paper within the workbook is good quality, keeping the paint from bleeding through the page.
These books are excellent if you have already dabbled in watercolor in the past. They provide direction for each of her unique sketches. Note that no supplies are included with the books.
EMILY LEX CLASSES
For in-depth step-by-step painting instructions, check out the Simplified by Emily Lex classes. These are online classes that allow students to work at their own pace. In the videos, she shares a supply list (and even gives a sneak at some of her recommended supplies). My daughter particularly enjoyed the Watercolor for Kids class. I used the Simplified Watercolor class to sharpen my own skills.
In addition to watercolor instruction, Emily also offers these awesome Truth For Today Cards. Both the kids set and the regular set contain 31 verses that provide daily encouragement accompanied by lovely watercolor artwork.
GIVEAWAY
Through 5/30/21, enter to win a fabulous bundle with this Emily Lex May giveaway!
