This simple technique - of using one of our templates as a reverse stencil - has created a stunning watercolour beach scene that is a perfect activity for a creative afternoon, for children of all ages. Cut out the template in advance if you are planning to do this with younger kids.
You will need:
- Our crab template, preferably printed onto card
- Scissors for cutting out the template
- White card, thick paper or watercolour paper to work on
- Watercolour paints and paintbrush
Instructions:
Cut out your crab and place him in the centre of your painting surface. Hold him there while you carefully paint over him with two horizontal stripes of colour - sand yellow and sky blue. We think he is most effective when he is mostly on the sand but his top quarter is in the sky!
Our crab watercolour painting in progress
Wait until the paint is completely dry before lifing the template off the picture.
Just for fun, we also used the crab template with a rainbow background!
Crab watercolour painting with alternative rainbow background
Older children could cut out several of the smaller sizes of our crab template and paint a picture with a colony of crabs on the beach! You could also add extra details with sharpies when the picture is dry.
