wax crayons are one of the cheapest art materials around - and one of the most versatile. Their chunky shape and bright colours make them the perfect drawing medium for young children, whereas older ones can try various techniques to create fabulous effects.
SCRATCH CARDS
You will need:
* Wax crayons
* Engraving tools such as blunt darning needles
* Sharpened pencils
* Screwdrivers
* Tweezers
* Rectangles of white card
* Black ready-mixed paint
* Thick paintbrushes
What to do:
1 Cover the surface of the card with a thick layer of wax and paint over it with the paint.
2 Make sure that none of the wax is showing through the paint - add a second coat if necessary.
3 Once the card is bone dry, scratch patterns into the paint to reveal the coloured wax underneath.
4 Experiment with a range of tools to create different markings.
Tips:
When rubbing on the wax, explore different colour combinations. Try oranges, yellows and reds or blues, purples and greens.
Use the scratch cards for making bonfire or space pictures and pictures of celebration lights (such as for Diwali or Christmas).
NOTCHED CRAYONS
Cut notches into a wax crayon and use it to create a variety of patterns.
You will need:
* Wax crayons
* Sharp knife (for adult use only)
* Paper
What to do:
1 Using the knife, cut notches down the length of a crayon. Experiment with small and large notches and space them at different intervals along the body of the crayon.
2 Then rub the crayon lengthways across the paper to create a stripy effect.
3 Try making wavy lines and combining different colours to create tartan patterns.
Projects:
* Decorate mounts for displaying artwork.
* Cut out tartan and stripy clothes for dressing collage people.
* Decorate lightweight paper to make handmade gift wrap.
WAX RUBBINGS
You will need:
* Chunky wax crayons
* Lightweight paper in different colours
* A range of objects with textured surfaces, such as coins, wicker baskets, cheese graters, colanders, leaves, lace, doilies, corrugated card
What to do:
1 Encourage children to search for lots of different textures.
2 Place a sheet of paper over a textured surface, hold it still and rub across the paper with a wax crayon.
Projects:
* The textures and patterns of wax rubbings are great for cityscapes, landscapes and animals - choose appropriate colours and cut out shapes for collage pictures.
* Make a collage from textured material such as corrugated card, embossed wallpaper and string. Then take a rubbing of the picture.
WAX BUNDLES
You will need:
* Wax crayons
* Elastic bands
* Large sheets of cartridge paper
* Tape
What to do:
1 Using an elastic band, tie three crayons into a tight bundle.
2 Adjust the crayons so that the points are all level with each other.
3 Tape a large sheet of paper to the floor and let the children explore the different effects they can create by scribbling with their crayon bundle - it can take some practice!
Tip:
Try different colour combinations, such as contrasting colours (red, yellow, green) or complementary colours (pink, purple, turquoise).
WAX RESIST PAINTINGS
You will need:
* Wax crayons
* White cartridge paper
* Ready-mixed or powder paint thinned with water
* Thick paint brush
* Damp cloth
What to do:
1 Draw wax crayon patterns and pictures on the cartridge paper.
2 Press hard with the crayons or draw over faint lines a second time.
3 Brush watery paint over the drawings and watch as the wax resists the paint and emerges from the colour wash.
4 For large areas you may need to wipe the paint off the wax with a damp cloth.
Tips:
Bold, simple images work best; discourage the children from putting too much detail into their drawings. Draw some colourful fish and wash over with greeny turquoise paint. Use white crayons and thin black paint for ghostly pictures. Draw tropical parrots, snakes and exotic blooms and wash over with bright green to make jungle pictures.
CRACKED WAX PICTURES
Use the 'cracked wax' technique to create a cracked Batik effect on paper.
You will need:
* Wax crayons
* Thin paper such as copier paper
* Ready-mixed paint in strong colours, such as dark green or navy blue
* Thick brushes
* Paper towels
What to do:
1 Make a drawing with wax crayons, covering the entire paper and pressing hard so that there is a thick layer of wax.
2 When the drawings are finished, crumple the paper into a ball and then smooth out.
3 Repeat this process two or three times to make cracks in the wax.
4 When you have finished crumpling, smooth out the paper and paint over the picture, brushing the paint into all the cracks.
5 Wash the paint off the surface of the wax by holding the picture under a cold tap. Work as swiftly as you can - although you need to wash away the paint, avoid soaking the paper too much or it will disintegrate.
6 Spread the picture on paper towels to dry.
Note: Don't be put off if this technique seems complicated - it's much easier than it sounds and the cracked Batik effect looks fabulous!
WAX MELT
You will need:
* Old ends of wax crayons
* Large pencil sharpener
* Sharp knife and cutting board (for adult use only)
* Cartridge or sugar paper
* Iron and ironing board (for adult use only)
* Tea towel
What to do:
1 Create crayon chunks and shavings with a pencil sharpener or sharp knife.
2 Sprinkle on to one half of a sheet of paper, making sure you have different colours mixed together so that they blend when melted.
3 Fold the paper and cover with a tea towel.
4 Melt the wax by ironing across the tea towel with a warm iron.
5 Before the wax hardens, open the paper to reveal the beautiful melted wax patterns.
Tip: Some wax crayons are designed to be 'non-melt' so use traditional crayons.
Projects: * Make a wax melt pattern between two sheets of greaseproof paper, leaving the wax to harden so that it 'glues' the two sheets together. Stick strips of black card around the edges of the paper and attach to the window with Blu Tack to make a 'stained glass' panel.
* Use the wax melt technique to decorate cut-out birds, butterflies, snakes and flowers.
What to buy
* Choose short chubby sticks for young children
* Choose thin plastic crayons for older children - try sharpening them with a pencil sharpener for detailed work
* Look out for different colours and finishes, including metallic, glitter, pearlescent, rainbow stripes and skin tone packs
* Invest in the best quality you can afford - the more expensive crayons give a stronger, brighter mark and are much more satisfying to use
