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Easy Op Art Drawing For Kids

Use this step-by-step tutorial to create a line Op art drawing.
Print Tutorial
colored pencil and marker optical art on marble table.
Prep:2 minutes
Creating:35 minutes
Total Time:37 minutes

Equipment

  • 1 Pencil

Supplies

Instructions

  • Draw one straight or slightly wavy line across the page.
  • Lightly draw 5-7 dots across your line. Try to make them evenly spaced.
  • Connect the dots with curved lines on both sides. It will look like a shell necklace going across your page.
  • On one section repeatedly draw curved lines connecting top to top. Working "top to top" draw curved lines until that row goes off the page. The lines will continue to get smaller and smaller.
  • Repeat drawing curved lines on top of each section. Some of your rows or "worms" may collide with the other drawings and lines. That is natural and part of the drawing.
  • Flip the paper over and repeat the previous three steps.
  • If you have an empty white space between wiggly lines, draw a teardrop shape and then curved lines until you go off the page.
  • If you drew in pencil (like we recommend) outline with a black marker when finished. Erase extra pencil lines before moving on to colored pencils.

Adding Colored Pencils

  • Use the same color, across the band. On the edges, you want a darker value. Press harder and fade so that the middle is very light or white. Repeat on the other corner.
  • Inside each long wiggly line, alternate two different colors and continue shading each shape.
  • Use the same colors or different color combinations in each "wiggly line" to complete the project.

Notes

  • Each row should be the same pattern. 2 colors work best, but you can use more than that as long you color in a pattern.
  • You can use the same 2 or 3 colors for all the worms/wiggly lines. Or switch for each row.
  • Don't draw more than 5-7 dots across your page. Your design will become too complicated for a 6" x 9" paper.
  • It is fun if the "worms or wiggly lines" turn and twist. Encourage kids to have a variety. Just make sure that they overlap properly and don't draw through each line.
  • Draw with a pencil first, trace with a marker and then use a large eraser to get rid of pencil lines before coloring.
Author: Erin
Cost: under $5