Giant Watercolor Paint Box

Making a giant watercolor box for our art room was something I was inspired to do from Alex Crowder at Ms. Crowder's Art Studio. The cool connection here is that she took over my previous art teaching position in Georgia :) I know she is doing a great job and putting in all it takes (and then some) to give her students a great experience in learning about and making art!

Here's all you need for this easy-peasy, big-impact project your kids will love:

• 6 Chinet paper plates
• Tempera paints and a big easel brush 
• A box lid or a big rectangular piece of foam core/cardboard 
• Elmer's glue

I was lucky enough to spy a cardboard box lid that was just the right dimension for this giant paintbox set during our teacher prep week, however you can use a piece of foam core or cardboard and you will end up with the same effect. I just really like that there are edges on my paintbox to help with stability. 

Steps:
#1 - paint the cardboard box with white tempera paint
#2 - if you want your paintbox to look like it's gotten some use, water down some tempera paint and have fun splattering to your heart's content
#3 - while the box is drying, paint the paper plates to resemble the oval pan refills
#4 - line up your "paper plate paints" on top of the box and then glue in place

 Voilà