New Circus Elephants

Here they are!

A while ago, some conversation broke out over these watercolor elephants we do using washable black markers.  Some of you have tried them...and I have loved seeing the results.  Thanks for sharing.

After seeing the beautiful works by Paintedpaper, it inspired me to incorporate more color around them- thus, turning them into circus elephants!    

You can see my original post by clicking here.

The great things:

• This is not a long project.
• The kids actually yell WOW!!!! when the marker turns into watercolor paint and "bleeds" into the elephant.
• The color effects are priceless.  It naturally tints and shades if you do it correctly.
• It is a great lesson on drawing animals: leg positioning, character, details and proportion.

Interested???      Consider these helpful ideas.

Getting the picture started can overwhelm a first grader.  I do not believe in making so many marks on a paper that a kids work becomes my own; however, showing them the first "idea" of where a trunk line could be gets them off to a great start and builds their confidence to continue.  I find the if we all begin with this correctly, everything else falls in line nicely for them.

We measure with our hand to leave enough room for his plump tushy-buns!  Also, make the legs at least 2 fingers fat (or eraser fat).  Add gumdrop toe nails...wrinkles at the knees and other key places.

Here are a few other circus elephants to see.