A Learning Journey: C is for Colorful Cross Easter Art

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

C is for Colorful Cross Easter Art

Last week, we read The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale retold by Angela Elwell Hunt and The Legend of the Three Trees by Dahl Taylor. We read this story every Easter and during Christmas time. It reminds us that Jesus died on the cross so that our sins can be forgiven. The cross symbol can be used in a variety of art projects during Easter. Today I wanted to share two art projects with you. The colorful light ray cross was found at Housing a Forest. PhilZendia did the same project using gel sticks with a cross template which is provided on the website. As soon as I saw this beautiful art project, I knew that we were going to do the same project for Easter. The second art activity at the bottom was a spur of the moment art activity we completed years ago.

Instead of freely drawing a cross shape on scrap paper, I asked Alyssa to cut out a cross shape using manila colored construction paper with the following technique. We used a light color so that she could see the colors easily. This is a quick cutting practice activity. First, fold the paper in half. You or your child can draw half of a cross shape (think . . . Valentine's Day heart activity). Then, the child cuts out the shape and opens it.

I used painter's tape to attached the cross securely to watercolor paper instead of cardstock. Please do not stress about cutting a perfectly shaped cross.

My daughter used Cray-Pas Junior Artist Oil Pastels to draw several thin and colorful lines around the edge of the cross. Then, she smeared the colors upward or outward to create colorful rays of light.

This is what my daughter's cross looked like with all of the colors around the edge.

We carefully removed the paper cross template. She wanted to keep it even though I was going to throw it out. She used it in another art project.

We also cut out a grassy hill and taped it onto the watercolor paper in the same manner. Then, Alyssa used different shades of green oil pastels to create a grassy edge.

Finally, she painted the sky and hill with watercolor paints.

Alyssa enjoyed creating her cross painting. We both LOVED this art project! I think it is absolutely beautiful!

Please visit A Learning Journey to see another cross art project we did several years ago (scroll down). Here's a picture of it. There are also many other hands-on Easter activities that you can try with young learners next year or this week if you are finishing up Easter lessons. Be sure to click on the link provided at the beginning to see more activities from the previous week too.