Book Week / Illustrator Technique Stations
Illustrator Technique Stations
Children rotate through art stations that each recreate a technique picture book illustrators use, such as collage, watercolour wash, cross-hatching and printmaking.
How to run it
- Choose picture books that show different illustration techniques and display one at each station.
- Set up stations for torn-paper collage, watercolour wash, pencil cross-hatching and simple sponge or foam printing.
- Have children spend about ten minutes at each station trying the technique on a small card.
- Finish by letting each child use their favourite technique to illustrate a scene linked to this year's theme.
You will need
- picture books with varied illustration styles
- watercolour paints and brushes
- coloured paper scraps
- glue sticks
- pencils
- sponges or foam trays
- poster paint
- card
Make it easier or harderYounger children try two or three stations with simple materials; older children add a written artist's statement about the technique they chose.
SafetyUse washable paints and cover tables and clothing.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 4, Outcome 5Experimenting with illustrators' techniques builds creativity and shows children how pictures tell stories.
Fits these theme days
More like this
Ancient Egypt · Time Travellers Day · Spy School +2
Write Your Name in Hieroglyphs
Children use a picture-symbol alphabet chart to write their names the ancient Egyptian way, exploring how early writing systems worked.
Animal Theme · Under the Sea · World Oceans Day +3Group Ocean Wall Mural
Children create sea animal artworks that are collected into one large underwater mural, giving everyone a part in a shared display.
Art Attack Day · Budding Artists · Halloween +2Straw Blow Painting
Children blow drops of watery paint across paper through straws to create branching trees or wild monster shapes.
Art Attack Day · Budding Artists · Graffiti and Street Art +3Whole-Group Collaborative Mural
Everyone adds their own section to a large mural on a shared theme, creating one artwork that reflects the whole group.