Use the Crayon Resist Technique to Make Interesting Backgrounds
May 31, 2009 | By
Crayons. We tend to think of them as something to play with when we are very young, not as serious art supplies. The truth is, I still use crayons quite a bit for my mixed media pieces. One great way to use those ordinary children's crayons is as a base for a lovely wax resist background.
To make a wax resist background, you'll need a few simple supplies.
You will need:
Ordinary children's crayons
Watercolor paper or another type of paper that can handle water
Liquid watercolors
Rag
Pattern design ideas
Sponge brush or paint brush
Spray bottle filled with water (Optional. I don't always use this.)
Begin your crayon resist technique by using the crayons to create a simple pattern on your paper. I prefer geometric designs, but you can use any design, including random doodles. In this sample, I used a floral design. Be sure you apply the crayon heavily. I've broken more than one crayon from pressing it down onto the paper to be sure it was applied thickly enough.
Next, it is time to apply the liquid watercolor to the paper. Don't worry about whether you are covering up your design. You can simply paint over the entire piece. The watercolor will fill in any areas that aren't covered with your waxy crayon patterns and will not be able to soak into areas that are covered by the crayon.
Allow the watercolor to soak in a bit and then use your rag to wipe off all the extra paint. If you don't get back to the project fast enough and the resisted watercolor dries before you finish wiping it off, just lightly mist the piece and then continue wiping it down. Now you have a lovely, bright background that is perfect for making a piece of art to hang in a child's room.
Katelyn is a mixed media artist who works from a farmhouse in rural Maryland. Her art blog is a work in progress at Crafty Blogger.
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