School-aged kids will use watercolor paints to create an analogous ornament painting. This project can easily be completed at home or in the classroom.

completed watercolor paintings of analogous colored ornaments, paints and paintbrushes - kids activities blog
Kids easily create a fun watercolor painting using analogous colors!

What are Analogous Colors?

Analogous Colors are simply colors that are beside one another on the color wheel. Today we are using a combination of two colors per ornament in our project. Examples of analogous color pairs would be: yellow and orange, green and blue, red and purple, etc.

Related: Review Analogous Colors with our free printable pages!

Supplies Needed to Make this watercolor ornament Art Project

watercolor ornament supplies include watercolor paints, paintbrushes, white crayon, permanent marker, water and cup - kids activities blog
A few basic supplies are needed for this easy project
  • Watercolor Paper
  • Watercolor Paints
  • White Crayon
  • Permanent Marker
  • Metallic Paints – we used acrylic paints, but metallic watercolors would also work
  • Water
  • Paper Towels
  • Paintbrushes
  • Cup – or other object to trace for ornament shape

Directions to Make Watercolor Ornaments

Step 1

step 1- boy using a permanent marker to trace a plastic cup creating a circular ornament shape - kids activities blog
trace objects to create ornament shapes

Using a permanent marker, first trace a cup to create ornament shapes on the paper.

Step 2

step 2 - boy using permanent marker to add details to his ornament drawings - kids activities blog
draw tops and hangers on ornaments

Then, use the permanent marker to complete the ornament drawings by adding toppers, hangers, and any desired details.

Step 3

step 3 - boy using firm pressure and a white crayon to color highlights on ornaments - kids activities blog
Use a white crayon to add highlights to the ornament shapes

Next, using firm pressure, and a white crayon, color a highlight on each ornament.

Step 4

step 4 - using watercolor to paint the ornament base color - kids activities blog
paint the ornament using a lighter color

Paint each ornament using a lighter color. Tip: Work quickly as the paint still needs to be wet for the next step.

Step 5

step 5 - painting with watercolor on top of wet paint to create an analogous colored shadow on the ornament - kids activities blog
use a darker, analogous color, to paint a shadow

Pick a darker, analogous color, and add a shadow to the side of the ornament opposite of the highlight.

Step 6

step 6 - using green watercolor paint to add a background - kids activities blog
Add a background to your painting

Carefully paint a background around the ornaments. Remember: Wet watercolor paints will bleed into one another. Paint around wet ornaments carefully or allow a longer dry-time to prevent accidental color bleeding.

Step 7

step 7 - boy using silver acrylic paint to add hangers and details to ornaments - kids activities blog
Use metallic paint to add finishing touches to the ornaments

Finally, use metallic paint to add finishing touches to your ornaments!

Finished watercolor ornament Art Project

completed watercolor ornaments using analogous colors, crayons, and acrylic paints - kids activities blog
Our completed Watercolor Ornament Masterpieces!

I love how cute and easy these ornaments are to paint! Since these projects are made on paper, they are easily framed, clipped, or displayed in your preferred style for the holiday season. 

Our Experience Making this watercolor ornament Art Project

We enjoyed this easy project as a fun way to create seasonal art while exploring various watercolor techniques. We used wax resist to create the highlights on the ornaments, a wet-on-wet blending technique, and reviewed shading with analogous colors!

Yield: 1

Watercolor Ornaments Art Project for Kids

Watercolor Ornaments Art Project for Kids

School-aged kids will use watercolor paints to create an analogous ornament painting. 

Prep Time 5 minutes
Active Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Difficulty Medium
Estimated Cost $1

Materials

  • Watercolor Paper

Tools

  • Watercolor Paints
  • White Crayon
  • Permanent Marker
  • Metallic Paints – we used acrylic paints, but metallic watercolors would also work
  • Water
  • Paper Towels
  • Paintbrushes
  • Cup – or other object to trace for ornament shape

Instructions

  1. Using a permanent marker, first trace a cup to create ornament shapes on the paper.
  2. Use the permanent marker to complete the ornament drawings by adding toppers, hangers, and any desired details.
  3. Using firm pressure, and a white crayon, color highlights on one side of each ornament.
  4. Paint each ornament using a lighter color. Tip: Work quickly as the paint still needs to be wet for the next step.
  5. Pick a darker, analogous color, and add a shadow to the side of the ornament opposite of the highlight.
  6. Paint a background around the ornaments. Remember: Wet watercolor paints will bleed into one another. Paint around wet ornaments carefully or allow a longer dry-time to prevent accidental color bleeding.
  7. Use metallic paint to add finishing touches to your ornaments!

Notes

Analogous Colors - colors that are next to one another on the color wheel.

Watercolor Ornament Art Variations

  • Use cookie cutters or multiple sizes of cups to make a variety of ornament shapes.
  • Complete the project using another medium such as acrylic, oil pastels, etc.
  • Add decorative designs to each ornament with wax resist or other techniques.

Watercolor Ornament Art Variations

  • Use cookie cutters or multiple sizes of cups to make a variety of ornament shapes.
  • Complete the project using another medium such as acrylic, oil pastels, etc.
  • Add decorative designs to each ornament with wax resist or other techniques.

Other Fun christmas Art Projects from Kids Activities Blog

More art project ideas from kids activities blog

Did your kids enjoy painting these watercolor ornaments? What watercolor technique was their favorite to explore?



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