This project will take a couple sessions to
finish to allow paint to dry.  This gives
practice painting very wet (washy) and dryer
(with less water).  It is always a good idea
to test out your paint on a separate piece of
paper before starting.

Materials Needed:

• pencil & eraser
• white crayon (with sharp point)
• holiday lights to look at while drawing
• watercolor paint
• water cup
• brushes (small & med)
• black pen -sharpie (optional)

Draw the holiday lights with pencil(either alone or as part of a larger picture - like a drawing of a whole Christmas tree).

Outline you pencil lines with thin black sharpie (optional).

Use white crayon to make highlights in each bulb (white sparkles). Make sure to press fairly hard on the crayon to really get it on there well.

Get your paint ready and add lots of water! Paint a circular area around each light with very light paint (lots of water! - washy) Each light may be a different color - maybe. Be careful not to paint over areas that are wet- if lights overlap allow to dry between each color.

Once dry, re-mix each color using very little water - colors will be more intense and darker. Paint in each bulb with color.  The paint should not stick to the white crayon highlights. (If it does, add a little bit of water and blot it off with a paper towel.) 

Paint in the light cords (strings), pine needles, ornaments, etc... at the end.

Have fun, and take your time - don't rush.