DIY Fridge Art Paper Technique
Last Updated on July 2, 2025, by Emma Vanstone
Creating homemade scratch art can be a fun and creative project for both children and adults. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to make scratch art using oil pastels and alternative materials.
## Materials Needed - Oil Pastels: Ideal for creating vibrant and thick layers. - Alternative Materials: Stockmar Crayons, beeswax crayons, watercolor paint mixed with a binding agent, or any other suitable material for a more textured look. - Black Paper or Cardstock: Serves as the base for your scratch-art project. - Scratch Tool: A metal stylus or a sharp object like a needle or a pin. - Optional: Glue, scissors, or a craft knife for additional design elements.
## Instructions
### Using Oil Pastels
1. Cover the Paper with Oil Pastels: Use vibrant oil pastels to cover the entire surface of your paper. Apply them in thick, bold strokes to ensure a solid layer of color. 2. Allow the Pastels to Dry: Let the oil pastels dry completely. Depending on the thickness of the application, this might take a few minutes to an hour. 3. Scratch Your Design: Use a metal stylus or a sharp object to scratch through the oil pastel layer onto the black paper. This will reveal the underlying paper and create your design.
### Alternative Materials
#### Using Stockmar Crayons
1. Color the Paper with Block Crayons: Start by coloring the entire paper with block crayons for overall coverage. 2. Add Additional Details: If needed, add more details with stick crayons for texture and depth. 3. Scratch the Design: Use a metal stylus or a sharp object to scratch through the crayon layer to reveal the design.
#### Using Beeswax Crayons or Watercolor Paint
1. Apply the Material: For beeswax crayons, apply them similarly to Stockmar crayons. For watercolor paint, mix it with a binding agent (like gum arabic) to create a more textured, scratchable layer. 2. Let It Dry: Allow the layer to dry completely before scratching. 3. Scratch Your Design: Once dry, use a scratch tool to create your design.
## Tips for Enhancement - Experiment with Different Tools: Try using various scratch tools to achieve different textures and effects. - Add Additional Layers: You can add multiple layers of materials to create more complex designs. - Seal with Varnish: Optionally, apply a clear varnish to protect your artwork and give it a glossy finish.
White cardboard is a suitable material for homemade scratch art. Ready-made scratch art sheets from Melissa and Doug are recommended for days when you don't want to make your own scratch art paper. Enjoy creating your unique and vibrant scratch-art papers!
- Incorporating science into the activity, kids can experiment with various materials such as oil pastels, Stockmar Crayons, beeswax crayons, watercolor paint, and alternative binders for their homemade scratch art projects.
- As part of a home-and-garden lifestyle, creating scratch art at home can serve as an engaging activity for kids, enabling them to express their creativity while using recyclable materials like black paper and cardstock.
- When embarking on scratch art projects, kids can also learn about lifestyle choices that are both creative and sustainable, as they repurpose materials to make their art and explore new techniques for design enhancement.
