Magnified Critters

Wasp, mixed media on paper

After working so hard on our Nature Journals the last few weeks, we decided it would be fun to make some special artwork focusing (get it?) on a few of the backyard critters we discovered.  

Results: These amazing mixed media Magnified Critters!  

Below, I will show you how to make your own.

Cucumber Beetle, mixed media on paper

Supplies needed:

- 9" x 12" dark-colored construction paper

- scrap of black construction paper 

- drawing pencil / eraser

- colored pencils and/or markers

- tempera paints or oil/soft pastels

- paint brushes / water 

- scissors / glue stick

- round templates, such as lids: one slightly smaller than the other

- resource pictures of chosen insect

Choose a critter to illustrate in your artwork (insect? spider? butterfly?) and find a good resource photo of it to refer to as you draw. 

Plastic lid templates, 4.5" & 5"

Lightly trace the smaller template on a piece of white drawing paper. This will be your 'art canvas.' (Tiny, huh?) Sketch the insect somewhere inside the circle, being sure to include as many details as possible. Fill in the body of the insect with bold colors using markers or colored pencils. You might want to outline the insect with an ultra-fine Sharpie before or after filling in the colors. You decide!

Where is your critter resting? Draw a leaf or flower beneath it. Add distinct details and bright colors to this background, just as it would be seen through a magnifying glass. Fill in the circle with colors and details. Don't worry about any stray lines or color outside the circle, which will be cut off later.

Original Rainbow Leaf Beetle artwork

Paint the background using your media of choice: tempera paint, oil pastels, soft pastels or (???) Paint loosely and quickly; don't worry too much about details or perfection - the focus of the artwork will be on the magnifying glass art. 

Use the larger template to trace and cut out a black circle (or rather a big black dot) and use a scrap of that paper to make a handle for your magnifier. (Fold it in half lengthwise, then cut it out and unfold!)

Enhanced Rainbow Leaf Beetle artwork

Carefully cut out your magnifying glass artwork. Then, glue it to the center of the big black dot, and glue end of the handle to the back of the dot to complete your magnifying glass.

Once your background has dried, you can glue the completed magnifying glass to it. Make sure you move it around first and decide where the best position would be to place it. 

The last step is to go back and add a few more details, shadows, and other enhancements.  Beautiful!

Orange-Belted Bumblebee, mixed media