The Art of Crayon Melting
By Brenda K.
Have you ever wondered how to create a melted crayon art masterpiece? Today, you will learn two different methods to do so.
Gather your supplies:
- A poster or canvas
- Crayons
- Hair dryer
- Markers*
- Painter’s tape*
- Cup filled with hot water*
- Paint of your color (s) choice *
- Hot glue gun*
- Plastic utensils*
- Something to protect the floor*
*Items marked with an asterisk are either optional, or only necessary for one method
As you start to form your artwork, decide if you want to include a background color, or any writing/drawing visible in the background. To produce a background color, use the hue of your choice to paint the backdrop and let dry. If you want to include any writing or drawings, add them at this point in the process. Let dry.
You may want to protect these inscriptions with painter’s tape. This is unnecessary if you don’t mind maximum spillage, or can avoid covering said inscriptions.
Now it is time to choose your crayon colors. You will need more crayons for method 1 than 2. Gently remove the crayon wrappers or soak them in hot water (necessary for method 2, optional otherwise). After soaking, the wrappers will effortlessly peel off. If any wrappers stick, soak once more.
Now is the time to choose your methodology. The first method is shown in the left and middle pictures; method two can be seen in the image on the right.
Method 1
- Pick the layout of your crayons and hot glue them down in the pattern of your choice.
- Put down something to protect the floor from crayon splatter (unnecessary if you work outside, over the dirt).
- Turn on your hair dryer and direct it towards the crayons; slowly work section by section. Changing the direction/angle of the heat source or tilting the main surface, can change melting direction. Blending of colors is not an issue.
Method 2
- Break each of the crayons in half and separate into color groups; this will make colors easier to melt, blend, and locate.
- While you can use your hand to guide the crayons, it’s not recommended, as you could burn your hands. Therefore, you should use plastic utensils to guide the crayon halves.
- The hair dryer will cause the crayons to move as well as melt. Hence, you should place the crayon halves on the poster/canvas, and move the plastic utensil accordingly.
- The utensil should be on the opposite side of the crayon, when compared to the heat source; allow the crayon to move as it melts. If it gets stuck, use a little force and heat to return motion.
- Now that you understand the terms of how to melt the crayons, apply heat and begin. If you run out of a color, or don’t want anymore of said color, replace it with another. Blending is key in this method; so don’t be afraid to mix things up. Remember that changing the direction/angle of the heat source or tilting the main surface, can change melting direction.
Once you complete steps 1-3 of the method of your choice, move on to these final steps:
- Go back to melt any section and apply further heat, for the desired look. If you are pleased with the outcome, let dry.
- If you taped over any inscriptions, carefully and slowly remove the tape. If you accidentally peel off any sections, simply go back over with marker or paint. The tape may have left a defined geometric shape, so you may want to go back and slightly melt these rough edges, for a softer touch. Let dry once more, and enjoy your creation.