Galaxy Reindeer
Galaxy Reindeer, made by Riley Rose - Age 10
"I know nothing with any certainty but the sight of the stars makes me dream."
- Vincent Van Gogh
I am about to open up a world of infinite artistic possibilities for you. This watercolor galaxy project has been a repeat request at both our adult and kid Art Camp events because the process is so fun and the results are stunning. We have done galaxy cats, unicorns, whales, narwhals, and northern lights. I think it makes a lovely handmade gift. You could make a set of greeting cards, frame one for a friend, or string a bunch on some twine and make a garland to give away. It is such a goodie!
Materials:
liquid watercolor (black, dark blue, purple, magenta, turquoise)
toothpick or paper clip for making dots
8.5" x 11" picture frame (optional)
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1. Print your reindeer template (you can scale the size of your deer to fit your paper in the print settings).
2. Cut out your template.
3. Trace your shape onto the watercolor paper or card stock.
4. Take a q-tip (with the cotton removed), sharp pencil point, or toothpick and dip it into your masking fluid. Create little teeny dots, cluster them, and make some larger than others.
5. Let your masking fluid fully dry (20-30 minutes). You can speed up drying time with a hair dryer (make sure to set it on cool).
6. Gently wet your deer shape with your brush. It should be damp but not soaking. You will start to paint using a 'wet on wet' technique. You are adding the watercolor pigment to the wet surface. Let the colors mix but do not over-blend because your colors will get muddy and lose their brilliance. While your paint is still wet, add a sprinkling of salt (aka magic sprinkles).
8. When your painting is completely dry you will tap off the salt and peel off the masking fluid dots. Gently rub your finger over the masking fluid in a circular motion and they should lift from the paper, revealing the bright white of the unpainted surface
Wasn't that fun?
xx
a.
