Let Your Creativity Soar with this Easy Watercolor Lesson!

Looking for a quick and easy way to incorporate art into your homeschool? This watercolor with wax resist lesson is a great option: low-prep, open-ended, and fun for the whole family!

Discover the magic of watercolor painting with a simple yet striking technique: wax resist! This fun art project is perfect for all ages and skill levels, making it an excellent choice for your next Fine Arts Friday project!

By combining the fluid beauty of watercolors with the protective barrier of wax, you can create vibrant designs that pop off the page. Whether you’re drawing whimsical patterns, bold shapes, or delicate details, the wax “resists” the watercolor medium, making striking contrasts and textures.

In this lesson, we explore how to create your own wax resist masterpiece, experimenting with color blending to try out different mask-making techniques. So grab your crayons and your watercolors, and let’s get started!

Art supplies you will need:

Feel free to use whatever art supplies you have on hand, but if you want to know which brands of art supplies we use, we’ve linked them below:

Canson Watercolor Pad (9×12)
Crayola watercolor set for beginners OR
Winsor & Newton tube paints (student grade)
Watercolor palette
Arteza paint brush set OR
Black Velvet Watercolor (Silver) brush set
Princeton Artist brush (Neptune)
Crayon (or wax candle)

Why Watercolor and Wax Resist is the Perfect Art Project for Your Kids:

Encourages Creativity and Experimentation: The unpredictability of watercolors combined with the controlled barrier of wax allows artists to explore color blending, layering, and texture without fear of mistakes. It’s a great way to build confidence in young artists.
Teaches Artistic Concepts: This technique naturally introduces concepts like contrast, negative space, and color theory. Students can see firsthand how colors interact and how wax resists water, creating unique effects.
Accessible and Affordable: With minimal supplies — just watercolors, a white crayon or candle, and paper — this project is budget-friendly and easy to set up, making it ideal for homeschool lessons or group activities.
Adds a Surprise Element: The “reveal” moment when the wax design emerges through the watercolor wash is always exciting! This sense of discovery adds joy to the process and keeps students engaged.