Heart and Flower Likhita Japa

This project was designed for the kindergarten class – "K is for Kindness" and "L is for Love." The painting was done in class and the children's assignment was to take the mandala home and fill in one petal a day with likhita japa, finishing on the last day with the border. We explained to them that because love and kindness helps all things become beautiful, grow and flourish, this daily discipline will produce a most beautiful person ... filled with love and kindness (just like this painting!)

Materials
Watercolor paper
Water soluble colored pencils
Paintbrush
Small bowl of water
Heart and Mandala Template (see below)
Fine point writing pens (black or colors)

Directions
1. Copy the Heart and Mandala Template onto card stock paper. Cut out.

2. Using a water soluble pencil, trace the mandala onto your piece of watercolor paper.

3. Then using the same colored pencil, trace the hearts into a flower shape (inside the mandala) onto the watercolor paper.

4. Once the design is in place, have the child color the entire mandala with the water soluble pencils. It is good to emphasize that you should not apply too much color. The pressure should be light and consistent.

5. After coloring, it's time to bring out the brush! Dip the brush in water. Give it a shake or two to remove the excess water. And then begin painting over your design. Be prepared for lots of "ooohs and aahhhs" — it's a lot of fun to watch the colored pencils turn into paint!!

Click on the template page below and print.

Be sure and adjust your printing size, if necessary.

Mandala colored with pencils

Water brushed on to the colors.

Likhita japa added to the painting

Likhita Japa Painting

This project was created for our Kindergarten Class "J is for Japa. This is a very simple technique. All you need is:

Materials
• Watercolor paper
• Water soluble colored pencils (These can be found in most craft/art stores)
• Paint Brush
• Water
• Black writing pens (or color pens for more complicated patterning)

Directions
1. With a bowl (or circle template) trace your mandala circle in the center of your paper. Then with the watercolor pencils lightly color in your areas. (We like to use no more than 3 or 4 colors.)

2. After you are satisfied with the coloring, take your brush (dipped in water) and paint over your drawing. It's like magic — the colored pencils turn into watercolor!!  The younger kids really love this part.

3. Once your painting is completely dry, you can begin your likhita japa. Have them work from the outside of the circle inwards — finishing with a beautiful, silent OM.

Here are a couple of samples we share with the children to emphasize

the importance of neat and steady handwriting.

Shiva Lingam Mandala (Likhita Japa)

This mandala is dedicated to Guruji
Summer Camp 2010


Click on the image to view enlarged.

This mandala was created with likhita japa of "ऊँ नमः शिवाय" (OM namah Shivaaya.) Lightly trace the inner and outer circles with a pencil and bowl (or circle templates) . Once you are satisfied with the proportions, begin the likhita japa session with your writing pens. All pencil lines should be gently erased after the ink has thoroughly dried. The Shiva Lingam was painted (with gouache) in the center as a point of reflection after the japa session was completed.

Materials
• Good quality writing pens with different nib sizes
• Good quality Bristol paper (smooth vellum surface)
• Pencil
• Graphic eraser
• Gouache paints
• Paint brushes
• Gold metallic calligraphy pen/ink

Color Study

Summer Camp 2010

This is a very simple lesson in creating a color wheel using the three primaries: red, blue and yellow. Check out the following sites for some great information on the basics of primary, secondary, tertiary, complimentary and analogous colors:

Arty Factory (click here to view)
Middle School Color Theory Projects (click here to view)
Lesson Plans Page (click here to view)

To make an easy, no mess, color wheel you will need:

• Red, Blue and Yellow water-soluble color pencils (We used Caran'dache supracolor — carmine red, sapphire blue and yellow to make the samples shown.)
• a small dish of water
• a paintbrush
• water color paper

Orange = Equal portions of Red and Yellow

Purple = Equal portions of Red and Blue

Green = Equal portions of Blue and Yellow

Black (for our purposes)  = Equal portions of Red, Blue and Yellow

Helpful Hints:

• To create a consistent paint blending we laid down the lighter color first, with the darker on top.

• After all the colors have been drawn with the pencil, lightly brush water onto the circles. Like magic you will see a watercolor painting emerge.

• After completing a color wheel, have the children try sketching out a grid of squares. Then with their three pencils, create paintings incorporating all the color combinations they learned with their wheel. (Try some with only secondary colors, some with one primary and 2 secondary, 2 complimentaries, etc. There are many variations on this theme — let them have some fun exploring!)

• If you want the children to understand tints and shades of colors, you can give them a White pencil to mix with. (Tints are the hues (colors) with white added. Shades are the hues with black added.

Lotus Flower

This project is dedicated to Gurudev

For balavihar classroom or personal use only
©jmg 2010

This flower is created with watercolor paper, which is quite easy to find — art stores, craft stores, and even stationary stores carry many different varieties. Watercolor paper is a fabulous medium to work with! It's possible to make very lovely and durable sculptures with just one sheet, some water, and careful maniupation.

Materials

• Watercolor paper

• Paint brush

• Water

• Color (water colors, water soluable art pencils, tempera paints, etc.)

• Decorating items, — glitter glue, acrylic gems, sequins, and/or lace

Directions
1. Print out the template below 3 times.  One is printed at 100%, one at 90% and one at 80%. You may scale them to any size you desire, just make sure all three are reduced/enlarged at the same percentage.

2. Cut out the 3 templates.

3. Trace them onto the watercolor paper.

4. Cut out the 3 shapes.

5. Color or paint each tier.

6. With the largest shape, take some water (using either a paintbrush or your fingers) and lightly cover each side. Take each leaf and roll it gently inwards until you get the desired effect.

7. Follow step 6 with the other two lotus tiers.

8. Decorate with gems or glitter.

9. Let dry.

10. Once all the pieces are dry, glue the three pieces together with a small dab of glue on the bottom of each tier.

Click on the template image below and print.

Scratch Art

© 2009 This project is dedicated to Gurudev.

For use in Balavihar classrooms (or personal use) only.
Click on picture to view enlarged.

This is a very fun project to do, especially with the younger kids — everyone loves scratch art! To make your own scratch art sheets you will need the following:

Materials

• Black Tempera Paint

• A few drops of dish detergent

• Picture of God or Goddess (Glossy photos work best)

• Q-tip (or paper towel*)

• Paintbrush

• Paint dish

* If the children are really ambitious "scratchers" then a paper towel might work better than a Q-tip. Too much pressure with the Q-tip can remove parts of the image.

Directions

1. Pour some tempera paint into your dish.

2. Add a few drops of dish detergent and mix well.

3. With your paintbrush, paint some broad and even strokes onto a glossy photograph. Cover completely.

4. Let Dry.

5. Take a Q-tip and let the children rub the photograph until the mystery picture is completely revealed.

Notes

If you want to make scratch art paper for the children to draw pictures with. You will need the following:

Materials

• Good card stock paper

• Wax crayons (colors and black*)

• Toothpick or wooden skewer
* can also use black tempera paint as outlined above.

Directions

1. Color the entire sheet of paper. (It's best if you use lots of bright colors.)

2. Once your sheet is completely colored, take a black crayon and cover the entire paper. It is important that no color shows. You also may have to rub a little harder with the black crayon to make an even, solid coating.

3. Take a toothpick and draw your picture. Have fun with the colors that emerge!

Lord Ganesha Papier Mache

© 2008 This project is dedicated to Gurudev.
For use in Balavihar classrooms (or personal use) only.

Click on image to view enlarged.

This papier mache Lord Ganesha was made by Balavihar students and parents for our 2008 End of the Year Program.

This is definitely an art project to do outdoors -- where kids can get creative and MESSY.

Below are the material list and instructions to make a wall hanging.

Materials

2 Dinner paper plates (heavy duty)

Roll of masking tape

A couple of sheets of newspaper (or newsprint)

Strips of newspaper (or newsprint -- about 1/2 to 1 inch wide)

aluminum foil (optional)

Paste*

Tempera Paints**

Paint brush

Containers (for paints and brush water)

* To make your own paste: Mix 1 part flour to 3 parts water in a medium sized pot. Whisk well so that all lumps are gone. Cook on the stove until you get a nice, smooth consistency (like oatmeal.) Let cool, before using. (Once cooled, you can add a little elmer's glue, if you want. This is a nice way to keep little insects from eating your paper while it's drying.)

**Add some Elmer's glue to the tempera paint if you want to make it more resistant to water. Also, it will give the paint a shinier finish. (Artist's acrylic medium is also a good option, but costs more.)

Directions

To create your Lord Ganesha form: Cut one paper plate in half (each of these pieces will be used as an ear.) Tape each ear to either side of the other paper plate. (see photo A) Take a couple of sheets of newsprint and roll them together, tightly, to make his trunk. Tape his trunk into place on the paper plate. Now make his tusks. This can be done easily by using aluminum foil. (If you do use aluminum foil, make sure that you completely cover the foil with masking tape -- otherwise you are going to have a struggle making the paper stick when you begin pasting.)

Photo A

If you want Ganesha's face to have a more roundish form, add some paper to the center of the plate (until you have the shape you want) and tape it in place. (see Photo A)

Once you are satisfied with your form, then you are ready to papier mache. Take a strip of paper and tear it into pieces (a couple of inches is nice). Dip your fingers into the paste and smooth it onto the form. Add your paper strip and smooth it down. (Use more paste, if needed**). Be sure that when you paste the paper on you get all the wrinkles out. You want a nice smooth surface. Remember, when this sculpture dries, it will harden. If there are wrinkles when it is wet, then there will be hard wrinkles when it is dry. Also, be careful not to allow any open gaps between the paper plates ... everything gets covered with paper. You want to create a seamless work of art. (see Photo B)

**Be careful not to use too much paste. A few kids had some mold growing in super pasty areas. This is a very tactile art process, and sometimes kids really get into the pasting part. "Just enough paste" is a good rule of thumb.

Completely papier mache one side of the face. Let it dry. Turn over and paste the other side. Ideally, you would like to have 2 or three coats of paper before considering the sculpture finished and ready for decorating.

Photo B

Once Ganesha is thoroughly dry, bring out the paints and have a blast!

The above wall hangings were made by Balavihar summer campers.

Thumbprint Art

Click on image to view enlarged.

A very simple, yet charming and engaging project to do with your young child. All you need is a pen, an inkpad, a piece of paper and your thumb. (You can also cut a sponge into a oval shape to resemble the size of the child's thumb.)

Materials

Inkpad (or washable tempera paints)

Paper

Pen (for drawing lines)

Directions

Have your child place their thumb (or the sponge) into the inkpad and make prints onto a piece of paper. Then take a pen and draw lines to resemble a Shiva Lingam, an animal, flower, car, or anything you can imagine! These little doodles look very sweet when turned into greeting cards.

प्राणी (PraaNii) — Animals

click on image to download

 this on-line Sanskrit book.

Mouse Sponge Art

© 2009 This project is dedicated to Gurudev.
For use in Balavihar classrooms (or personal use) only.

Click on image to view enlarged.

Summer Camp 2010

मूषकः

(muuShakaH)

मूषकस्य कर्णौ बृहतौ स्तः।

muuShakasya karNau bRihatau staH.
The mouse's ears are big.

मूषकः लघुः अस्ति।

muuShakaH laghuH asti.
The mouse is small.

This is page one of a child's Sanskrit Animal picture book. Click here to see a sample of an assembled book.

Materials

• Sponge (cut into oval shape, any size will do)

• Paper, cardstock (Make sure that it is a size proportional to your sponge size. 4 x 4 inch squares work well.)

• Medium black marker or gel pen. (.o7 mm)

• Gray tempera paint (We like to mix white and black together, keeping some streaks of white and black in the mixture -- this gives the print more depth and makes the overall image seem more painterly.

Directions

1. Spread a very thin layer of tempera paint onto a paper plate and dip the sponge into it. (Don't worry if the entire sponge is not covered with paint -- the result looks lovely when there are shades of gray and unevenness in paint.)

2. Print your sponge onto the center of the paper.

3. Take your black pen and draw the lines to define your mouse. (Coloring in the shapes can add yet another dimension to the image.) Feel free to copy the picture above or make up your own drawing!

Turtle Sponge Art

© 2009 This project is dedicated to Gurudev.
For use in Balavihar classrooms (or personal use) only.

Click on image to view enlarged.
Summer Camp 2010

कूर्मः

(kuurmaH)

कूर्म: मन्दं चलति।

kuurmaH mandam chalati.
The turtle walks slow.

This is page two of a child's Sanskrit Animal picture book. Click here to see a sample of an assembled book.

Materials

• Sponge (cut into oval shape, any size will do)

• Paper, cardstock (Make sure that it is a size proportional to your sponge size. 4 x 4 inch squares work well.)

• Medium black marker or gel pen. (.o7 mm)

• Gray tempera paint (We like to mix white and black together, keeping some streaks of white and black in the mixture -- this gives the print more depth and makes the overall image seem more painterly.

Directions

1. Spread a very thin layer of tempera paint onto a paper plate and dip the sponge into it. (Don't worry if the entire sponge is not covered with paint -- the result looks lovely when there are shades of gray and unevenness in paint.)

2. Print your sponge onto the center of the paper.

3. Take your black pen and draw the lines to define your turtle. (Coloring in the shapes can add yet another dimension to the image.) Feel free to copy the picture above or make up your own drawing!

Fish Sponge Art

© 2009 This project is dedicated to Gurudev.
For use in Balavihar classrooms (or personal use) only.

Click on image to view enlarged.
Summer Camp 2010

मत्स्यः

(matsyaH)

मत्स्यः तरति।

matsyaH tarati.
The fish swims.

This is page three of a child's Sanskrit Animal picture book. Click here to see a sample of an assembled book. 

Materials

• Sponge (cut into oval shape, any size will do)

• Paper, cardstock (Make sure that it is a size proportional to your sponge size. 4 x 4 inch squares work well.)

• Medium black marker or gel pen. (.o7 mm)

• Gray tempera paint (We like to mix white and black together, keeping some streaks of white and black in the mixture -- this gives the print more depth and makes the overall image seem more painterly.

Directions

1. Spread a very thin layer of tempera paint onto a paper plate and dip the sponge into it. (Don't worry if the entire sponge is not covered with paint -- the result looks lovely when there are shades of gray and unevenness in paint.)

2. Print your sponge onto the center of the paper.

3. Take your black pen and draw the lines to define your fish. (Coloring in the shapes can add yet another dimension to the image.) Feel free to copy the picture above or make up your own drawing!

Spider Sponge Art

© 2009 This project is dedicated to Gurudev.
For use in Balavihar classrooms (or personal use) only.

Click on image to view enlarged.
Summer Camp 2010

तन्तुनाभः

(tantunaabhaH)

तन्तुनाभः उपरि गच्छति।

tantunaabaH upari gacchati.
The spider goes up.

This is page four of a child's Sanskrit Animal picture book. Click here to see a sample of an assembled book. 

Materials

• Sponge (cut into oval shape, any size will do)

• Paper, cardstock (Make sure that it is a size proportional to your sponge size. 4 x 4 inch squares work well.)

• Medium black marker or gel pen. (.o7 mm)

• Gray tempera paint (We like to mix white and black together, keeping some streaks of white and black in the mixture -- this gives the print more depth and makes the overall image seem more painterly.

Directions

1. Spread a very thin layer of tempera paint onto a paper plate and dip the sponge into it. (Don't worry if the entire sponge is not covered with paint -- the result looks lovely when there are shades of gray and unevenness in paint.)

2. Print your sponge onto the center of the paper.

3. Take your black pen and draw the lines to define your spider. You may copy the picture above or make up your own drawing!

Bird Sponge Art

© 2009 This project is dedicated to Gurudev. For use in Balavihar classrooms (or personal use) only.

Click on image to view enlarged.
Summer Camp 2010

खगः

(khagaH)

खगः उड्डयते।

khagaH uDDayate.
The bird flies.

This is page five of a child's Sanskrit Animal picture book. Click here to see a sample of an assembled book. 

Materials

• Sponge (cut into oval shape, any size will do)

• Paper, cardstock (Make sure that it is a size proportional to your sponge size. 4 x 4 inch squares work well.)

• Medium black marker or gel pen. (.o7 mm)

• Gray tempera paint (We like to mix white and black together, keeping some streaks of white and black in the mixture -- this gives the print more depth and makes the overall image seem more painterly.

Directions

1. Spread a very thin layer of tempera paint onto a paper plate and dip the sponge into it. (Don't worry if the entire sponge is not covered with paint -- the result looks lovely when there are shades of gray and unevenness in paint.)

2. Print your sponge onto the center of the paper.

3. Take your black pen and draw the lines to define your bird. (Coloring in the shapes can add yet another dimension to the image.) Feel free to copy the picture above or make up your own drawing!

Lion Sponge Art

© 2009 This project is dedicated to Gurudev.
For use in Balavihar classrooms (or personal use) only.

Summer Camp 2010

Click on image to view enlarged.

सिंहः

(simahaH)

सिंहः गर्जति।

simhaH garjati.
The lion roars.

This is page six of a child's Sanskrit Animal picture book. Click here to see a sample of an assembled book. 

Materials

• Sponge (cut into oval shape, any size will do)

• Paper, cardstock (Make sure that it is a size proportional to your sponge size. 4 x 4 inch squares work well.)

• Medium black marker or gel pen. (.o7 mm)

• Gray tempera paint (We like to mix white and black together, keeping some streaks of white and black in the mixture -- this gives the print more depth and makes the overall image seem more painterly.

Directions

1. Spread a very thin layer of tempera paint onto a paper plate and dip the sponge into it. (Don't worry if the entire sponge is not covered with paint -- the result looks lovely when there are shades of gray and unevenness in paint.)

2. Print your sponge onto the center of the paper.

3. Take your black pen and draw the lines to define your lion. (Coloring in the shapes can add yet another dimension to the image.) Feel free to copy the picture above or make up your own drawing!

Bee Sponge Art

© 2009 This project is dedicated to Gurudev.
For use in Balavihar classrooms (or personal use) only.

Summer Camp 2010

Click on image to view enlarged.

मधुमक्षिका

(madhumakshikaa)

मधुमक्षिका पुष्पम् इच्छति।

madhumakShikaa puShpam icChati.
The honeybee wants a flower.

मधुमक्षिका पुष्पम् अन्विष्यति।

madhumakShikaa puShpam anviShyati.
The honeybee looks for a flower.

This is page seven of a child's Sanskrit Animal picture book. Click here to see a sample of an assembled book.

Materials

• Sponge (cut into oval shape, any size will do)

• Paper, cardstock (Make sure that it is a size proportional to your sponge size. 4 x 4 inch squares work well.)

• Medium black marker or gel pen. (.o7 mm)

• Gray tempera paint (We like to mix white and black together, keeping some streaks of white and black in the mixture -- this gives the print more depth and makes the overall image seem more painterly.

Directions

1. Spread a very thin layer of tempera paint onto a paper plate and dip the sponge into it. (Don't worry if the entire sponge is not covered with paint -- the result looks lovely when there are shades of gray and unevenness in paint.)

2. Print your sponge onto the center of the paper.

3. Take your black pen and draw the lines to define your bee. (Coloring in the shapes can add yet another dimension to the image.) Feel free to copy the picture above or make up your own drawing!

Owl Sponge Art

© 2009 This project is dedicated to Gurudev.
For use in Balavihar classrooms (or personal use) only.

Summer Camp 2010

Click on image to view enlarged.

उलूकः

(uluukaH)

उलूकः उत्तिष्ठति।

uluukaH uttiShThati.
The owl stands.

उलूकस्य नेत्रे बृहतौ स्तः

uluukasya netre bRihatau staH.
The owl's eyes are big.

This is page eight of a child's Sanskrit Animal picture book. Click here to see a sample of an assembled book.

Materials

• Sponge (cut into oval shape, any size will do)

• Paper, cardstock (Make sure that it is a size proportional to your sponge size. 4 x 4 inch squares work well.)

• Medium black marker or gel pen. (.o7 mm)

• Gray tempera paint (We like to mix white and black together, keeping some streaks of white and black in the mixture -- this gives the print more depth and makes the overall image seem more painterly.

Directions

1. Spread a very thin layer of tempera paint onto a paper plate and dip the sponge into it. (Don't worry if the entire sponge is not covered with paint -- the result looks lovely when there are shades of gray and unevenness in paint.)

2. Print your sponge onto the center of the paper.

3. Take your black pen and draw the lines to define your owl. (Coloring in the shapes can add yet another dimension to the image.) Feel free to copy the picture above or make up your own drawing!

Rabbit Sponge Art

© 2009 This project is dedicated to Gurudev.
For use in Balavihar classrooms (or personal use) only.

Summer Camp 2010

Click on image to view enlarged.

शशकः

(shashakaH)

शशकः उत्पतति।

shashakaH utpatati.
The rabbits jumps.

शशकस्य कर्णौ बृहतौ स्तः।

shashakasya karNau bRihatau staH.
The rabbit's ears are big.

This is page nine of a child's Sanskrit Animal picture book. Click here to see a sample of an assembled book.

Materials

• Sponge (cut into oval shape, any size will do)

• Paper, cardstock (Make sure that it is a size proportional to your sponge size. 4 x 4 inch squares work well.)

• Medium black marker or gel pen. (.o7 mm)

• Gray tempera paint (We like to mix white and black together, keeping some streaks of white and black in the mixture -- this gives the print more depth and makes the overall image seem more painterly.

Directions

1. Spread a very thin layer of tempera paint onto a paper plate and dip the sponge into it. (Don't worry if the entire sponge is not covered with paint -- the result looks lovely when there are shades of gray and unevenness in paint.)

2. Print your sponge onto the center of the paper.

3. Take your black pen and draw the lines to define your rabbit. (Coloring in the shapes can add yet another dimension to the image.) Feel free to copy the picture above or make up your own drawing!

Elephant Sponge Art

© 2009 This project is dedicated to Gurudev.
For use in Balavihar classrooms (or personal use) only.

Summer Camp 2010

Click on image to view enlarged.

गजः

(gajaH)

गजस्य नासिका बृहत् अस्ति।

gajasya naasikaa bRihat asti.
The elephant's nose is big.

गजस्य कर्णौ बृहतौ स्तः।

gajasya karNau bRihatau staH.
The elephant's ears are big.

This is page ten of a child's Sanskrit Animal picture book. Click here to see a sample of an assembled book. 

Materials

• Sponge (cut into oval shape, any size will do)

• Paper, cardstock (Make sure that it is a size proportional to your sponge size. 4 x 4 inch squares work well.)

• Medium black marker or gel pen. (.o7 mm)

• Gray tempera paint (We like to mix white and black together, keeping some streaks of white and black in the mixture -- this gives the print more depth and makes the overall image seem more painterly.

Directions

1. Spread a very thin layer of tempera paint onto a paper plate and dip the sponge into it. (Don't worry if the entire sponge is not covered with paint -- the result looks lovely when there are shades of gray and unevenness in paint.)

2. Print your sponge onto the center of the paper.

3. Take your black pen and draw the lines to define your elephant. (Coloring in the shapes can add yet another dimension to the image.) Feel free to copy the picture above or make up your own drawing!