Crayon Techniques: Don’t Underestimate the Unsung Heroes of the Art Room

Crayons hold a special place in the hearts of art teachers—and for good reason! Beyond their nostalgic charm, the crayon is the ultimate art room staple due to its affordability and incredible versatility. They’re readily available, easy to use, and perfect for students of all ages. But don’t let their simplicity fool you. Layer, blend, scrape, or even melt crayons to achieve a surprising range of effects. 

Read for fun crayon facts, famous crayon artists, and fascinating crayon techniques that will blow your students’ minds!

Crayons have a colorful history.

European artists developed the earliest versions of the modern crayon using a mixture of charcoal and oil. They later replaced the oil with wax, which created a stronger, easier-to-handle stick. However, it was American entrepreneur Edwin Binney who revolutionized crayon production in the early 20th century. Along with his cousin, C. Harold Smith, Binney used his expertise in pigment manufacturing to create affordable and safe crayons for children. Alice Binney, Edwin’s wife, created the name for his brand by combining craie and ola, the French words for chalk and oleaginous, meaning oily. These “oily chalks” transformed crayons from a specialized artist’s tool into a ubiquitous symbol of childhood creativity.

Artists of all levels love a good crayon.

Crayons aren’t just for kids. Many artists from different times and places embrace them for their vibrancy and versatility.

Here are just a few great artists who work with crayons:

• Jean-Michel Basquiat
  Basquiat incorporated crayons into his mixed-media works. It added layers of texture and vibrant color to his canvases.
• Pablo Picasso
  Picasso experimented with various mediums, including crayons, to achieve bold lines and colors in his drawings and sketches.
• Paul Klee
  Klee frequently used crayons in his whimsical drawings and paintings. They contributed to the childlike quality with their bright colors.
• Jim Dine
  Dine often integrated crayons into his mixed-media pieces, adding a playful touch to his imagery.
• Herb Williams
  Williams is perhaps the ultimate crayon artist. He creates stunning sculptures using crayons that engage multiple senses.

The old favorite keeps getting better. 

People continue to innovate with crayons. Manufacturers are not only mixing up a wider range of hues, they are using different materials and altering the form to make products that are more accessible and environmentally friendly.

Here are a few variations of crayons to explore:

• Extra Large Crayons
  Bigger crayons are easier for students with limited hand strength or fine motor control. The increased surface area for grasping gives those students more control and less frustration.
• Triangular Crayons
  Many teachers favor triangular crayons because they help promote a proper grip and they don’t roll off of the table.
• Soy Crayons
  If there’s a concern about the environmental impact of traditional petroleum-based paraffin wax crayons, consider soy crayons. Some major manufacturers offer crayons made with soybean oil.
• Construction Paper Crayons
  It can be hard to see regular crayons on a colored surface. Construction paper crayons have more intense pigments, allowing colors to pop even on dark construction paper.
• Glitter Crayons
  Say goodbye to loose glitter messes. These crayons give you all of the sparkle and none of the clean-up.
• Fabric Crayons
  These crayons adhere to fabric and are permanent with heat. Use them to explore fashion design or emblazon names on art shirts.

This magical medium can do almost anything!

Crayons are one of the first mediums students learn to use. They are cheap, mess-free, and provide a wide range of bright colors. But crayons are capable of far more than simply coloring a picture.

Here are a few unexpected ways to use crayons in your classroom:

• Batik
  Melt crayons and paint the liquid wax onto fabric for a batik. For a classroom-safe alternative to melting hot wax, check out the crayon batik lesson in FLEX Curriculum.
• Wax Sculptures
  Crayons have a relatively low melting point. Liquify them using a simple hair dryer or melt them in a silicone mold.
• Mosaics
  Break crayons into small pieces and arrange them on a surface.
• Crayon Resists
  Experiment using crayons as a resist with other media such as watercolor and ink.
• Still Life
  Highlight the simple cylinders and cones of crayons. Hot glue a variety of crayons to a board and challenge students to make an observational drawing of crayons rather than simply drawing with crayons.
• Scratch Art
  Etch designs on DIY scratch art papers to save money and practice various lines. Create a colored base layer with crayons. Then, add oil pastel or paint for a scratchable top coat.
  
• Colorful Candles
  Place wicks and broken crayon pieces in an old muffin tin to make custom tealight candles. Consider using crayon candles to enhance a ceramic project.
• Transfers
  Color on the back of a photocopy using crayons. Then, tape it on top of your drawing paper crayon side down. As you trace the lines, the pressure from the pencil will push the wax of the crayon onto the surface of your drawing paper.

Artists of all ages recognize the brilliance of this versatile medium! Crayons are affordable, portable, and colorful. There are many types of crayons, from glitter to triangular, to fit your students’ needs. Gain inspiration from famous artists of the past and present to elevate crayons into bold and whimsical artworks. Try new techniques and processes to keep the wonder going with batik, resist, or transfers. Inspire your students to see this humble art supply in a whole new light—you may even rediscover the magic of crayons yourself!

Don’t underestimate these other art materials:

• 10 Exciting and Practical Ways to Use Tempera Paint at Any Age
• 9 Genius Ways to Use Glue to Expertly Enhance Your Art Room
• Tempera Cakes 101: How to Make and Use the Most Versatile Paint
• 8 Clever Ways You Never Thought to Use Dry-Erase Markers in the Art Room

What is your favorite way to use crayons?

What artmaking techniques excite your students?

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