Picture Maker

We’re huge fans of Eric Carle and his wonderful children’s picture books.  The illustrations have long captured the hearts of my children and have now made their way into sweet little Leigha's.   

Several months ago I was clicking around the internet and found a link to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.  There I discovered an instructional DVD explaining how Eric Carle creates his incredible illustrations.  Within several days, a copy of the DVD was in my living room!  The kids and I just had to know how to make these pictures because we wanted to try it too!

We finished our first attempts yesterday and wanted to share them, hoping you'd give it a try.

 

I really recommend viewing Eric Carle's DVD, but if you aren't able, here's a quick step-by-step on how to create this type of picture art.

 

Using tracing paper or commercial grade tissue paper, paint your heart out; add colors and splatters using brushes or any type of textured object such as a sponge or a piece of carpet remnant.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

We used poster paint but acrylics would also work well.

 

 

 

 

 

Allow the paper to thoroughly dry.

Draw your picture onto another piece of tracing paper.

 

With the tracing paper on top of the colored sheet, use an X-Acto knife, or something similar, to cut through both the tracing paper outline and the colored sheet below.

We used thick canvas paper to mount our picture on with a clear glue brushed onto the back of the colored paper.

Clara’s piece is already hanging on her wall even though the glue has not yet had a chance to dry J

 

And this little hungry caterpillar is on his way to the frame shop to be finished up in time for Leigha's first birthday!

Comments

[Cheryl]

Beautiful. They look like Eric Carle made them himself.

[Ruth]

That's amazing, Donna! I'd love to try this.

[SuzanneG]

This is GREAT, Donna! I think we'll try to do this this summer. My dd-5 just saw it and was very excited!

[pintohorse]

There pictures are amazing - and truly "Carle-esque." Thank you for sharing and inspiring us here.

[MaryM]

Donna - that was me apparently logged in as my daughter...oops

[Cay]

This is incredibly awesome. :)

[Eileen]

Late to the party, as usual, but I wanted to tell you how much I love this! Your color and design choices are perfect for imitating his style.

I actually saw EC in person at an Early Childhood conference back in my working days. He demonstrated his technique, and encouraged us to try it with the children we taught back home. Since my little "students" at the time had significant special needs, it would've been too complicated for them -- though it would've made a great cooperative activity with kids from a daycare classroom or older grade, now that I think of it.

In fact, it'd be a great cooperative activity for my three little ones right now! I am inspired!!!

Warmly,
Eileen

[Maria P]

Those are awesome!

[Meredith]

Incredible, I can't wait to try this with the kiddos!

[Maria]

Hey Donna,

Where did you find commercial grade tissue paper?