Every color that shines through every prism of every crystal on every snowflake, those are the colors I want to paint with today! -Anonymous

This is the 11th issue of "Young @ Art!" We are settling in to our new class space at the Issaquah Community Center, and adding many classes starting in January. We are now offering classes for preschool-aged children up to age eighteen. Along with the new classes, we are welcoming a new instructor, Patty Makatura. She is an amazing artist, muralist and children's book illlustrator. (click on her name and check out her amazing artwork!) She will be teaching some of the beginning drawing classes on Saturdays.

This issue also has a few art ideas for you to try with your child this winter season.

Check out some of our upcoming classes at the Issaquah Community Center and through Eastside Enrichment. Some of them are already starting to fill up! So, register soon and tell your friends! It's always more fun to take a class with a friend. We also have Gift Certificates available for any amount here.

- Crystal R. Pyren

Winter Art Activities

Painting Snow

You can use either watercolor or food coloring mixed with luke-warm water. Take your paint and a paintbrush outside and paint on the snow.

Painted Wrapping Paper

Place a vinyl table cloth on your dining table and spread some large butcher paper across the top of it. Try to keep it flat and wrinkle-free. Tape the paper down on the sides. Paint the butcher paper with watercolor or tempura paint.

You can use cookie cutters to trace around for shapes.

Try spattering paint using a paint brush or old toothbrush.

Try dragging some yarn or string through the paint.

Try repeating a pattern.

Write greetings or sayings on it.

Make sure the paint is completely dry before taking it off table and wrapping gifts.

Glowing Holiday Lights in Watercolor

Draw the shape of some holiday light bulbs on white paper very lightly with pencil.

Use a white crayon to color around the outside of each light bulb shape. Make sure the crayon is solid white right next to the drawn line, and you can make the crayon fade out as it gets farther from the lights.

Use the white crayon to create some highlights on the light bulbs too.

Using watercolors (red, blue, green, yellow) paint a wash over the bulbs. Have the paint fade out by adding more water (like a watercolor wash) around each bulb. Fill in the bulb shape, too.

Let paint dry.

Paint second layer of paint on each bulb shape (don't go outside the light bulb shapes this time. This makes the light bulbs look darker.

Start a New Sketchbook!

The beginning of a new year is always a great time to start a new sketch book. Have your child sign and date each drawing they finish. It helps document the progress they make in their emerging art skills. If you make drawing in a sketchbook your New Year's resolution, it may help you to start a great habit!

New Classes for Teens (& "Tweens")
We are now offering a separate selection of classes for students age 11 - 18. These classes involve drawing from real life, but with themes geared towards teens, their interests, and their skills, like Fashion Illustration, Botanical Illustration and Watercolor Landscapes.

Upcoming Classes

Parent & Me Classes

Young @ Art

Classes for Teens