Brrrr it’s cold this week! As we wake up to frosty mornings, now is the perfect time to make frost paintings! Why not try this simple, fun activity from All Year Round: A calendar of celebrations? Here’s how:
Frost paintings
How about helping Jack Frost to paint a picture? You are the one who puts the colour on the paper, and Jack Frost adds the ferns! (This can only be done when there is a hard ground-frost.)
You will need:
- Cartridge paper
- Water colour paints and a brush
- Water
- Sponge
Wet the paper well on both sides by dipping it into a sink full of water. Drain, and lay it on a table or paintboard. Press out any bubbles and wrinkles with the sponge, taking care not to rub the surface of the paper. Cover the paper with areas of beautiful colours. (The paint needs to be fairly strong if it is not to disappear on the wet surface of the paper.) While the painting is still shining wet (but not dripping with pools of colour) carry it out into a shady place and lay it directly on the frozen ground. Then tiptoe away and don’t peep while Jack Frost does his delicate work. When the paint has dried the picture may be brought in and admired.
More seasonal activities like this can be found in All Year Round: A calendar of celebrations by Ann Druitt, Christine Fynes-Clinton and Marije Rowling.
All Year Round: A calendar of celebrations
Ann Druitt, Christine Fynes-Clinton, Marije Rowling
This book is a festival store cupboard: a treasure trove of tomorrow’s much loved childhood memories, all mingled together with a mix of coloured thread, delicious cooking smells, softly sparkling candle light and the snatch of a favourite song.
