Alisa Burke recently posted about how much creativity you can find in a box of crayons.  I admire how she always does totally amazing things with really simple supplies.  Inspired by her post I sat down to play a little bit with one of my favorite techniques: crayon resist (one of the thirty techniques in my Technique-a-Palooza: paint & ink online class & used on fabric in my It's Sew Easy online class).

I started with a white crayon and a sheet of white watercolor paper. 

Crayon

 I scribbled across the page with the white crayon and then started to apply watercolor paint.

Red

 You can see that the crayon resists the watercolor paint.  Here's the final result:

Background

 A quick and easy background for this scrapbook page: 

Beingsilly-wm

And I did a second page using oil pastel and Adirondack Color Wash.  The oil pastel resists the water based spray the same way the crayon resists the watercolor.

DevinAndSarah-wm

Thanks for stopping by!

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Based outside of Boston, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a painter, printmaker, and collage artist who constructs vibrant compositions. Her artwork investigates the interplay of identity and perception, inviting viewers to take a longer look. Julie works in layers, both physically and metaphorically, exploring what is visible and what is concealed. Passionate about connecting with and inspiring other artists, she shares her expertise through in-person workshops and her online classroom at MyArtPractice.com. Julie's achievements include high-profile clients, multiple publications - including her book, “Carve Stamp Play” - and exhibits in New York City and throughout Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Brown University.

150 thoughts on “Crayon Resist Background

  • Oh, I loooove the first page! It shows you can do a great background with really little stuff and the colours are awesome.Thanks for the tip.

    Reply
  • Oh, I loooove the first page! It shows you can do a great background with really little stuff and the colours are awesome.Thanks for the tip.

    Reply
  • Oh, I loooove the first page! It shows you can do a great background with really little stuff and the colours are awesome.Thanks for the tip.

    Reply
  • Oh, I loooove the first page! It shows you can do a great background with really little stuff and the colours are awesome.Thanks for the tip.

    Reply
  • Oh, I loooove the first page! It shows you can do a great background with really little stuff and the colours are awesome.Thanks for the tip.

    Reply
  • The crayons look fantastic – I’m off to raid my kids art cupboard!

    Reply
  • The crayons look fantastic – I’m off to raid my kids art cupboard!

    Reply
  • The crayons look fantastic – I’m off to raid my kids art cupboard!

    Reply
  • The crayons look fantastic – I’m off to raid my kids art cupboard!

    Reply
  • The crayons look fantastic – I’m off to raid my kids art cupboard!

    Reply
  • love the first page! wonder if I can find any crayons around the house?

    Reply
  • love the first page! wonder if I can find any crayons around the house?

    Reply
  • love the first page! wonder if I can find any crayons around the house?

    Reply
  • love the first page! wonder if I can find any crayons around the house?

    Reply
  • love the first page! wonder if I can find any crayons around the house?

    Reply
  • Thank you! for (always) brightening up my morning. I’d completely forgotten about this and I know there are crayons around here someplace…and if not, a brand new box of 64 goes on my list today…gotta go to library and Target’s nearby…whee!
    Cheers~

    Reply
  • Thank you! for (always) brightening up my morning. I’d completely forgotten about this and I know there are crayons around here someplace…and if not, a brand new box of 64 goes on my list today…gotta go to library and Target’s nearby…whee!
    Cheers~

    Reply
  • Thank you! for (always) brightening up my morning. I’d completely forgotten about this and I know there are crayons around here someplace…and if not, a brand new box of 64 goes on my list today…gotta go to library and Target’s nearby…whee!
    Cheers~

    Reply
  • Thank you! for (always) brightening up my morning. I’d completely forgotten about this and I know there are crayons around here someplace…and if not, a brand new box of 64 goes on my list today…gotta go to library and Target’s nearby…whee!
    Cheers~

    Reply
  • Thank you! for (always) brightening up my morning. I’d completely forgotten about this and I know there are crayons around here someplace…and if not, a brand new box of 64 goes on my list today…gotta go to library and Target’s nearby…whee!
    Cheers~

    Reply
  • I knew I was hoarding crayons for a reason.

    Reply
  • I knew I was hoarding crayons for a reason.

    Reply
  • I knew I was hoarding crayons for a reason.

    Reply
  • I knew I was hoarding crayons for a reason.

    Reply
  • I knew I was hoarding crayons for a reason.

    Reply
  • I forgot about that technique!! Those pages are so adorable and I have two boxes of 96 crayola crayons stashed in my room -:)

    Reply
  • I forgot about that technique!! Those pages are so adorable and I have two boxes of 96 crayola crayons stashed in my room -:)

    Reply
  • I forgot about that technique!! Those pages are so adorable and I have two boxes of 96 crayola crayons stashed in my room -:)

    Reply
  • I forgot about that technique!! Those pages are so adorable and I have two boxes of 96 crayola crayons stashed in my room -:)

    Reply
  • I forgot about that technique!! Those pages are so adorable and I have two boxes of 96 crayola crayons stashed in my room -:)

    Reply
  • Cool and I really like the feel of the first LO!

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  • Cool and I really like the feel of the first LO!

    Reply
  • Cool and I really like the feel of the first LO!

    Reply
  • Cool and I really like the feel of the first LO!

    Reply
  • Cool and I really like the feel of the first LO!

    Reply
  • Do you think a white colored pencil would resist the same way?? Not the watercolor colored pencils just regular colored pencils…Its a finer point than a crayon and could get more detail??? Ofcourse i’ll just have to try it out but wanted your opinion.. 🙂

    Reply
  • Do you think a white colored pencil would resist the same way?? Not the watercolor colored pencils just regular colored pencils…Its a finer point than a crayon and could get more detail??? Ofcourse i’ll just have to try it out but wanted your opinion.. 🙂

    Reply
  • Do you think a white colored pencil would resist the same way?? Not the watercolor colored pencils just regular colored pencils…Its a finer point than a crayon and could get more detail??? Ofcourse i’ll just have to try it out but wanted your opinion.. 🙂

    Reply
  • Do you think a white colored pencil would resist the same way?? Not the watercolor colored pencils just regular colored pencils…Its a finer point than a crayon and could get more detail??? Ofcourse i’ll just have to try it out but wanted your opinion.. 🙂

    Reply
  • Do you think a white colored pencil would resist the same way?? Not the watercolor colored pencils just regular colored pencils…Its a finer point than a crayon and could get more detail??? Ofcourse i’ll just have to try it out but wanted your opinion.. 🙂

    Reply
  • I vividly remember using this method at school when I was about 9, to do a firework painting for guy fawkes, its one of my favourite memories from school, thanks for reminding me, x

    Reply
  • I vividly remember using this method at school when I was about 9, to do a firework painting for guy fawkes, its one of my favourite memories from school, thanks for reminding me, x

    Reply
  • I vividly remember using this method at school when I was about 9, to do a firework painting for guy fawkes, its one of my favourite memories from school, thanks for reminding me, x

    Reply
  • I vividly remember using this method at school when I was about 9, to do a firework painting for guy fawkes, its one of my favourite memories from school, thanks for reminding me, x

    Reply
  • I vividly remember using this method at school when I was about 9, to do a firework painting for guy fawkes, its one of my favourite memories from school, thanks for reminding me, x

    Reply
  • I’ve tried so hard to do painted backgrounds and gesso’d backgrounds, but it’s all ended in failure. I had wanted to do an art journal in remembrance of my mom who passed away suddenly last september(2011), but what am I to do now? I think my artistic muse has gone into permanent hiding or something. I can’t seem to accomplish a thing!

    Reply
  • I’ve tried so hard to do painted backgrounds and gesso’d backgrounds, but it’s all ended in failure. I had wanted to do an art journal in remembrance of my mom who passed away suddenly last september(2011), but what am I to do now? I think my artistic muse has gone into permanent hiding or something. I can’t seem to accomplish a thing!

    Reply
  • I’ve tried so hard to do painted backgrounds and gesso’d backgrounds, but it’s all ended in failure. I had wanted to do an art journal in remembrance of my mom who passed away suddenly last september(2011), but what am I to do now? I think my artistic muse has gone into permanent hiding or something. I can’t seem to accomplish a thing!

    Reply
  • I’ve tried so hard to do painted backgrounds and gesso’d backgrounds, but it’s all ended in failure. I had wanted to do an art journal in remembrance of my mom who passed away suddenly last september(2011), but what am I to do now? I think my artistic muse has gone into permanent hiding or something. I can’t seem to accomplish a thing!

    Reply
  • I’ve tried so hard to do painted backgrounds and gesso’d backgrounds, but it’s all ended in failure. I had wanted to do an art journal in remembrance of my mom who passed away suddenly last september(2011), but what am I to do now? I think my artistic muse has gone into permanent hiding or something. I can’t seem to accomplish a thing!

    Reply
  • LOVE LOVE LOVE this!! I can’t wait to try out thise technique! Thank you Julie!!!

    Reply
  • LOVE LOVE LOVE this!! I can’t wait to try out thise technique! Thank you Julie!!!

    Reply
  • LOVE LOVE LOVE this!! I can’t wait to try out thise technique! Thank you Julie!!!

    Reply
  • LOVE LOVE LOVE this!! I can’t wait to try out thise technique! Thank you Julie!!!

    Reply
  • LOVE LOVE LOVE this!! I can’t wait to try out thise technique! Thank you Julie!!!

    Reply
  • LOVE LOVE LOVE this! can’t wait to try this…thank you Julie!!

    Reply
  • LOVE LOVE LOVE this! can’t wait to try this…thank you Julie!!

    Reply
  • LOVE LOVE LOVE this! can’t wait to try this…thank you Julie!!

    Reply
  • LOVE LOVE LOVE this! can’t wait to try this…thank you Julie!!

    Reply
  • LOVE LOVE LOVE this! can’t wait to try this…thank you Julie!!

    Reply
  • I am wondering what you found that can write over the water color and crayon base? It looks like whatever you used it didn’t skip over either medium…the writing is still readable and vivid?

    Reply
  • I am wondering what you found that can write over the water color and crayon base? It looks like whatever you used it didn’t skip over either medium…the writing is still readable and vivid?

    Reply
  • I am wondering what you found that can write over the water color and crayon base? It looks like whatever you used it didn’t skip over either medium…the writing is still readable and vivid?

    Reply
  • I am wondering what you found that can write over the water color and crayon base? It looks like whatever you used it didn’t skip over either medium…the writing is still readable and vivid?

    Reply
  • I am wondering what you found that can write over the water color and crayon base? It looks like whatever you used it didn’t skip over either medium…the writing is still readable and vivid?

    Reply
  • Must try this today! Looks amazing. i’ve been wanting to try some new mixed media art techniques and get out of the persnickity pen and ink drawings I do.

    Reply
  • Must try this today! Looks amazing. i’ve been wanting to try some new mixed media art techniques and get out of the persnickity pen and ink drawings I do.

    Reply
  • Must try this today! Looks amazing. i’ve been wanting to try some new mixed media art techniques and get out of the persnickity pen and ink drawings I do.

    Reply
  • Must try this today! Looks amazing. i’ve been wanting to try some new mixed media art techniques and get out of the persnickity pen and ink drawings I do.

    Reply
  • Must try this today! Looks amazing. i’ve been wanting to try some new mixed media art techniques and get out of the persnickity pen and ink drawings I do.

    Reply
  • I loved how both of yours turned out!! Love that you made layouts with them.
    This was fun to see on her blog and I played around with all her ideas that day. A box of crayons has always made me happy.
    Thanks for sharing Julie, it inspired me to play more and make a layout!

    Reply
  • I loved how both of yours turned out!! Love that you made layouts with them.
    This was fun to see on her blog and I played around with all her ideas that day. A box of crayons has always made me happy.
    Thanks for sharing Julie, it inspired me to play more and make a layout!

    Reply
  • I loved how both of yours turned out!! Love that you made layouts with them.
    This was fun to see on her blog and I played around with all her ideas that day. A box of crayons has always made me happy.
    Thanks for sharing Julie, it inspired me to play more and make a layout!

    Reply
  • I loved how both of yours turned out!! Love that you made layouts with them.
    This was fun to see on her blog and I played around with all her ideas that day. A box of crayons has always made me happy.
    Thanks for sharing Julie, it inspired me to play more and make a layout!

    Reply
  • I loved how both of yours turned out!! Love that you made layouts with them.
    This was fun to see on her blog and I played around with all her ideas that day. A box of crayons has always made me happy.
    Thanks for sharing Julie, it inspired me to play more and make a layout!

    Reply
  • Love both layouts! All of our white crayons have ended up in the Easter box for making resists when dying eggs. Time to reclaim some of them back to general use!

    Reply
  • Love both layouts! All of our white crayons have ended up in the Easter box for making resists when dying eggs. Time to reclaim some of them back to general use!

    Reply
  • Love both layouts! All of our white crayons have ended up in the Easter box for making resists when dying eggs. Time to reclaim some of them back to general use!

    Reply
  • Love both layouts! All of our white crayons have ended up in the Easter box for making resists when dying eggs. Time to reclaim some of them back to general use!

    Reply
  • Love both layouts! All of our white crayons have ended up in the Easter box for making resists when dying eggs. Time to reclaim some of them back to general use!

    Reply
  • Oh my gosh, just like with Easter Eggs!! Now why didn’t I think of that?! (0; LOVE your being silly page!

    Reply
  • Oh my gosh, just like with Easter Eggs!! Now why didn’t I think of that?! (0; LOVE your being silly page!

    Reply
  • Oh my gosh, just like with Easter Eggs!! Now why didn’t I think of that?! (0; LOVE your being silly page!

    Reply
  • Oh my gosh, just like with Easter Eggs!! Now why didn’t I think of that?! (0; LOVE your being silly page!

    Reply
  • Oh my gosh, just like with Easter Eggs!! Now why didn’t I think of that?! (0; LOVE your being silly page!

    Reply
  • julie, i like the way both of your pages turned out! when i tried the white crayon, a few weeks ago, it didn’t work out so well.

    Reply
  • julie, i like the way both of your pages turned out! when i tried the white crayon, a few weeks ago, it didn’t work out so well.

    Reply
  • julie, i like the way both of your pages turned out! when i tried the white crayon, a few weeks ago, it didn’t work out so well.

    Reply
  • julie, i like the way both of your pages turned out! when i tried the white crayon, a few weeks ago, it didn’t work out so well.

    Reply
  • julie, i like the way both of your pages turned out! when i tried the white crayon, a few weeks ago, it didn’t work out so well.

    Reply
  • I cant remember what I used on this layout.  But my favorite for difficult surfaces is a nib pen and India Ink.  Writes on almost anything.

    Reply
  • I cant remember what I used on this layout.  But my favorite for difficult surfaces is a nib pen and India Ink.  Writes on almost anything.

    Reply
  • I cant remember what I used on this layout.  But my favorite for difficult surfaces is a nib pen and India Ink.  Writes on almost anything.

    Reply
  • I cant remember what I used on this layout.  But my favorite for difficult surfaces is a nib pen and India Ink.  Writes on almost anything.

    Reply
  • I cant remember what I used on this layout.  But my favorite for difficult surfaces is a nib pen and India Ink.  Writes on almost anything.

    Reply
  • Take a deep breath.  Dont try to make it pretty.  Share your feelings and it will be a wonderful tribute to your Mother!

    Reply
  • Take a deep breath.  Dont try to make it pretty.  Share your feelings and it will be a wonderful tribute to your Mother!

    Reply
  • Take a deep breath.  Dont try to make it pretty.  Share your feelings and it will be a wonderful tribute to your Mother!

    Reply
  • Take a deep breath.  Dont try to make it pretty.  Share your feelings and it will be a wonderful tribute to your Mother!

    Reply
  • Take a deep breath.  Dont try to make it pretty.  Share your feelings and it will be a wonderful tribute to your Mother!

    Reply
  • I’d forgotten about this technique. It’s so much fun! Thanks for the reminder and inspiration!

    Reply
  • I’d forgotten about this technique. It’s so much fun! Thanks for the reminder and inspiration!

    Reply
  • I’d forgotten about this technique. It’s so much fun! Thanks for the reminder and inspiration!

    Reply
  • I’d forgotten about this technique. It’s so much fun! Thanks for the reminder and inspiration!

    Reply
  • I’d forgotten about this technique. It’s so much fun! Thanks for the reminder and inspiration!

    Reply
  • Ameeeeiiii.
    Meus alunos vão amar também. Trabalho com alunos do 5º ano (crianças com 10 anos) e vou levá-los ao laboratório de Infomática para que eles acessem sua página e depois fazermos um parecido inspirado em teu tutorial.
    Muito obrigada.
    Prof.Rosane

    Reply
  • Ameeeeiiii.
    Meus alunos vão amar também. Trabalho com alunos do 5º ano (crianças com 10 anos) e vou levá-los ao laboratório de Infomática para que eles acessem sua página e depois fazermos um parecido inspirado em teu tutorial.
    Muito obrigada.
    Prof.Rosane

    Reply
  • Ameeeeiiii.
    Meus alunos vão amar também. Trabalho com alunos do 5º ano (crianças com 10 anos) e vou levá-los ao laboratório de Infomática para que eles acessem sua página e depois fazermos um parecido inspirado em teu tutorial.
    Muito obrigada.
    Prof.Rosane

    Reply
  • Ameeeeiiii.
    Meus alunos vão amar também. Trabalho com alunos do 5º ano (crianças com 10 anos) e vou levá-los ao laboratório de Infomática para que eles acessem sua página e depois fazermos um parecido inspirado em teu tutorial.
    Muito obrigada.
    Prof.Rosane

    Reply
  • Ameeeeiiii.
    Meus alunos vão amar também. Trabalho com alunos do 5º ano (crianças com 10 anos) e vou levá-los ao laboratório de Infomática para que eles acessem sua página e depois fazermos um parecido inspirado em teu tutorial.
    Muito obrigada.
    Prof.Rosane

    Reply
  • What watercolors do you use? Lovey!!!!!

    Reply
  • What watercolors do you use? Lovey!!!!!

    Reply
  • What watercolors do you use? Lovey!!!!!

    Reply
  • What watercolors do you use? Lovey!!!!!

    Reply
  • What watercolors do you use? Lovey!!!!!

    Reply

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