Create your own watercolor galaxy art inspired by the beauty of our amazing Milky Way galaxy. This galaxy watercolor painting is a great way to explore mixed media art with kiddos of all ages. All you need is some watercolors, salt and a sheet of art paper to make the colors of the universe. We love easy and do-able art activities for kids!
THE MILKY WAY GALAXY
A galaxy is a huge collection of gas, dust, and billions of stars and their solar systems, all held together by gravity. The planet we live on, Earth, is part of a solar system in the Milky Way galaxy. When you look up into the night sky, the stars you are looking at are all part of our galaxy.
Beyond our galaxy, there are many more galaxies that we cannot see with the naked eye. According to NASA, some scientists think there could be as many as one hundred billion galaxies in the universe.
ALSO CHECK OUT: Space Activities For Kids
“Our galaxy, the Milky Way, is one of 50 or 100 billion other galaxies
Neil deGrasse Tyson
in the universe. And with every step, every window that modern
astrophysics has opened to our mind, the person who wants to feel
like they’re the center of everything, ends up shrinking.”
Neil deGrasse Tyson is just one of our fantastic, famous scientists and inventors to study!
Use your imagination and a few simple supplies to make a painting of the galaxy. Download our free printable art project and template below to get started!
WHY ADD SALT TO A WATERCOLOR PAINTING?
Do you know watercolor painting with salt is both science and art, but what’s the science? Also check out our Snowflake Painting, Ocean Painting, Leaf Painting and Stars Painting with salt!
Salt is a handy product that can absorb moisture from its environment. Its ability to absorb water is what makes salt a good preservative. This property of absorption is called hygroscopic.
Hygroscopic means that salt absorbs both liquid water (the watercolor paint mixture) and water vapor in the air. Notice how the salt absorbs the watercolor mixture below with your raised salt painting.
Is sugar hygroscopic like salt? Why not try sugar on your watercolor painting for a fun science experiment and compare the results!
This type of painting, combined with an astronomy theme, makes a fantastic STEAM project! Read more about What STEAM is here!
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE WATERCOLOR GALAXY PROJECT!
WATERCOLOR GALAXY
If you love using watercolors, try one of these watercolor activities too!
SUPPLIES:
- Circle template
- Scissors
- White acrylic paint
- Watercolors
- Paintbrush
- Coarse salt
- Watercolor paper
Want to make your own paint? Check out our DIY watercolors recipe!
INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1: Print the circle/satellite template and cut it out.
STEP 2: Drip several colors of watercolor paint onto watercolor art paper.
STEP 3: Spread the paint around with a large paintbrush. Repeat with more drips.
STEP 4: After the last set of drips, add a handful of course salt to the paint puddles and let dry.
STEP 5: Now splatter a few drips of white paint on top of your ‘galaxy’ to add stars.
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STEP 6: Glue your circle/satellite on top of your galaxy art.
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