Today TF and I had unexpected time on our hands, so out came the paints. Continuing our current obsession/preoccupation with Totoro, we plumped for painting a Totoro.
I’m no artist. I can doodle rough images, which my children enjoy. I know that although Totoro is a fairly easy shape, it would end up lopsided. Time to call in the pin. I selected a picture and placed it on a piece of cardboard. Going round the outline of Totoro, I made little pin prints, pushing through into the cardboard.
My little assistant “helped” me to join up the dots/pin pricks, on the cardboard, with a pencil. Next the paint. We used sponges, which TF, in retrospect, found difficult to keep within the lines. Once over the lines, he just kept on going. He still had good fun painting, which is why we were doing this activity. (The painting session was slightly cut short as the window cleaner turned up with water hoses and brushes.)
This is where the pin pricks instead of pencil lines won the day. I could still see them through the paint where the lines were covered. Once it had dried, I cut out Totoro. I used a brown felt tip to add detail and we stuck on wool for Totoro’s whiskers.
So there you have it. Totoro sitting on a branch. He looked lonely, so we added a soot sprite and a little packet of hazelnuts and acorns which TF had collected.
Another simple activity which TF enjoyed. He was very pleased to show Totoro to his sisters, when they came back from school. Although he was even more pleased with the money that our window cleaner gave him for helping with the windows. Sometimes you win, sometimes you come second.
(Note to self, do not set up activity when window cleaner is due. Especially one that takes longer to set and tidy away, than actually doing time! Washing windows is always going to be more interesting.)
Love this whole idea of drawing with pins. Loved TF’s happy picture. Having raised two boys, I know the window washer would have bested me during our craft times.
Its good to know that it is not just me. TF was in such a hurry, he put on welly boots but totally forgot to wash his painty hands.
Brilliant idea! Love it!
TF was pleased with the result and had fun.
How excellent!!!!
(When I taught keystage 1 ..we suspended activities when the Window cleaners visited …you have absolutely no chance competing with all those fascinating suds..non at all …lol)
Clean windows and entertainment for the children at the same time. Too good to be true.
I’m either feeling French or I forgot this…e oops!
Thanks for dropping off the missing e.
Love the project! That process was used to paint the Sistine Chapel!
I can vouch that it is much easier to do this when you are not on your back, lying on wobbly scaffolding and so many feet in the air. Amazing ceiling.
Ooh! I just sewed up a soft-sculpture Totoro for my son’s birthday… will have to make a few soot sprites to keep him company… (to see the Totoro on my blog, check back June 10th!)
xo
Oh! I can’t wait to see it! We rewatched the film yesterday, for the nth time!
love the whole post, my question is how did you make the soot sprite?! i think i could come up with something based on the picture, but a how-to would be great. yours looks perfect!
Just a pompom. I made it a while ago, but I think I made it by wrapping the yarn around a ruler 20 times and adding the googley eyes.