Polar Bear Paintings

Medium: Tempera and Salt on Paper
Grade: Preschool-Pre-K

This was a multi step painting.  First the students had to paint the "ice" and cover the wet paint with plastic wrap.  This will create the cracking ice look of a glacier.  Following that the children chose a color for the night sky, like a purple, blue or pink color.  They then sprinkled course salt on the wet paint to create the appearance of snow falling. 

Then we let the paintings dry over night.

The next day the children (or teacher) could peel off the plastic wrap and see the changes.  The students were so excited to see the changes that the salt caused in the paint and how beautiful it looked from the "magic" plastic wrap.  Then they took turns using a Polar Bear stencil and stamping white paint inside of it.  The result is a fluffy bear over the icy terrain.  You can also do this project with a black bear foraging for food in the winter months.  It is a great way to tie in art to hibernation :) 

-Art Lady