Setting The Scene With Paint

Use stencil, printing, and stamping techniques to create unique story settings.

• 1.

  Choose or write a story which takes place in a unique setting, such as characters who hide in dense woodlands, clamber boldly up steep mountains, lull about on palm-studded beaches, or inhabit a fantasy land or outer space.

• 2.

  Decide which shapes, colors, and textures are the best choices to portray the characters' activities. Experiment with different painting techniques to create designed paper for the story environment using Crayola® Washable Paint and Paint Brushes.

• 3.

  First cover the work area with recycled newspaper. Roll out a shallow layer of paint with a brayer (foam roller), one color on each paper plate. Try these art techniques to create the desired effects:

• 4.

  <b><i>Repeated stencil shapes.</b></i>Create a stencil and make prints on construction paper.<br><li>With Crayola Colored Pencils, draw a simple silhouette on oak tag or poster board. Leave at least 1/2 inch (1 cm) for a border. <li>Cut the figure out of the center in an unbroken line with Crayola Scissors. Discard the center, and use the outline as a stencil. Place the stencil on top of colored paper. <li>With a brayer, roll paint inside the stencil form. Repeat as desired, waiting for paint to dry before changing colors.

• 5.

  <b><i>Repeated veined prints.</b></i> To make paint pans that eliminate drips when printing or stamping, cover the bottom of shallow pans with a flat sponge or double layer of paper. Pour a shallow layer of paint on top. Make prints on white construction

• 6.

  <b><i>Stamp printing techniques.</b></i> Use colored or white paper to make stamp prints.<br><li> Make notches in the edge of cardboard with scissors. Dip the edge in paint. Drag the notched edge across the paper to create multiple lines. <li>Make prints

• 7.

  When paintings are dry, cut or tear the designed paper and use Crayola Washable Glue Sticks to attach the pieces to a background to build the scene. Fold paper in half to make a stand-up diorama. Add stability by folding the outside edges back toward the

Benefits

• Students consider different story settings and how they add to character and plot development.
• Children choose settings to recreate in 3 dimensions using stencil, printing, and stamping techniques with paint.

Adaptations

• Create several scenes that portray different locations for scenes in the same story. Write the parts of the story that fit each scene. Display these story scenes in sequence in the library or hallway.
• Younger children and special needs students may benefit from short practice sessions experimenting with each painting technique. Provide plenty of paper. Use painted papers to make small collages.
• Mix up scenes from various stories and write new stories with the same characters in different settings.