Finding the Gold with our Friends: Scratch Art
Mother Holly
Retold from the Brothers Grimm and Illustrated by Bernadine Watts
In the German fairy tale Mother Holle (or…Holly in this version), the kind girl is sparkled with gold when she leaves the magical realm, while the unkind one gets a bucket of pitch dumped on her.
This is such a simple, yet powerful image!
If your kids are intrigued, they may enjoy exploring these “opposites” with this crayon scratch project!
It’s the epitome of process art!
Scribble any which way to cover the card stock “canvas” (think of the many schemas they can investigate!) All gold or all black for this play invitation.
Brush on tempera paint in the “opposite” color. No right or wrong way…just get it on and play! Still some crayon peeking through? Slop on more paint!
(Don’t want to get out paint? Kids can cover their gold (or black) with crayon, although this takes longer and requires more hand strength)
Dry throughly(usually the next day).
Scratch out designs, pictures, or scribbles with a toothpick or unbent paper clip. See that hidden color popping through!
NOTE: this crafty mom’s video suggests having kids make their designs with either toothpicks or Q-tips while the paint is still wet. It looks easier for the kids to get bold shine through…but probably way messier. What do you think?
How does it nurture resilience? See below!
What You’ll Need
Poster board/card stock, cut to size (consider age and perseverance of artists)
Black crayons (old, broken and peeled works!)
Gold tempera paint
Black tempera paint
Paint brushes
Paint shirts
Something to cover table (optional)
Tape to secure papers to table allows for vigorous scribbling
Toothpicks or unbent paper clips for scratching
Way to attach paintings into group collage (if desired)
Want full details of the process with tips? Here’s a good how-to article!
How this develops relationships and resilience
Children are fascinated with each other. They will watch each other’s scribbling as the papers are covered and share ideas.
This can also be a collaborative project, especially if the end “product” is a group design as described below.
Some kids might love the crayon part, but not be paint fans.
If a child gets tired, bored, or simply has to go before a paper is covered, a friend can pick up the scribbling where they leave off (with permission from the original artist, of course!).
Suggesting this as an option at the start helps children enjoy both the process and working together more.
Because the scratch designs may not be representational, think of creating abstract modern art with them!
With the children, look at the completed collection and notice similarities and differences.
Have children arrange them in different ways on the floor or table to create different designs.
Then, choose one to re-create on a wall, bulletin board, door, etc.
What a great way to be kind and helpful to each other as they build community and share in creating a magical realm of their own, just like in Mother Holle!
