Jan 22 2009
Color it with Paper
Here’s a little craft project you can try at home. All you need is some old magazines you don’t mind cutting up, scissors, glue and either a coloring book or some paper to draw your own picture.
Flip though the magazine cutting out chunks of color. You’ll cut these pieces in to tiny parts and keep the colors organized—different shades of red can go together but blue will be in its own pile. An egg carton would be useful because of its twelve handy compartments.
Next find a picture in a coloring book that you like. Spread some glue and place your tiny paper pieces of color down. It reminds me of the fancy picture quilts. Looking closely at the pieces you may see textures and different shades or hues but when you stand back the picture comes to life.
Today was my first time trying this with a coloring book. In the past, I simply drew a rough outline of what I wanted my picture to become. I think that freeform art is the most satisfying. I have used this technique to make greeting cards and it might be something to try for Valentine’s Day.
Dealing with the teeny tiny pieces takes patience and might be too much for some little people. But they can help with the gathering of colors and the spreading of the glue.
