Description of the Unit – Students will learn about oil’s resistance to water both in nature and through the media of watercolor and crayon, and explore this resistance via playful experimentation and one finished composition.

Activity statement – One of the most magical forms of art play for a kindergarten student is experimenting with watercolor resist using crayons. There is something so titillating, while at the same time satisfying, when painting over a drawing made with crayons leaving the crayoned design exposed. This is especially captivating when using white crayons. Why does this happen, they ask.

We answer that question by first examining how oil repels water in nature, via duck feathers. We watch a video of a duck’s feathers repelling water, discussing with students how ducks’ feathers are coated in oil produced by glands at the base of the feathers, allowing them to stay dry, because oil repels water. Next, we talk about what crayons are made of; due to the wax in crayons being composed of oily pigments, crayons also repel water, just like the oil on a duck’s feathers.

Students experiment with this just by scribble drawing in white crayon first, then painting over that randomly, to see the magical results. Then we practice with representational imagery. In this case we talked a lot about cats, hence why we got so many cat compositions. All in all, it was a fun yet educational experience. In later grades we also play with rubbing alcohol and watercolor, as well as salt crystals over watercolor. I like to introduce this a little later on because we go into a bit of the chemistry involved.

Goals – Students should…

Understand:

• In basic terms, that oil repels water
• That oil-based media can be used to create spaces within water-based media

Know:

• The meaning of the term resist.

Be able to:

• Complete at least one watercolor-crayon resist composition

Resources and materials – 

• Watercolor paper
• Liquid watercolor
• Brushes
• Crayons
• Cups

For further experimentation:

• Rock salt or salt crystals
• Rubbing alcohol

Questions – 

• Who has heard about ducks not getting wet? (If students raise their hands, as each to explain what they know)
• Why do you think duck feathers are made to keep ducks dry?
• Have you ever seen other examples of oil repelling water? Explain
• What do you think crayons are made of?
• What do you think will happen if you use watercolor to paint over crayon?

Evaluation – Did students:

• Create one watercolor resist composition?

Informal:

• Student questions
• Group discussions
• Oral responses to essential questions
• Elaboration and risk-taking

• Kindergarten
• mixed media