In the past, I have done different types of wall art using crayon melts, but for this project (my first Instructables) I wanted to create something unique that I have not seen done previously. Additionally, I wanted to use a new technique to inspire artists to increase their crayon usage by using a different but easy methodology to open the creativity gate of new ideas. Also, I wanted to use the crayons in a way that features its special characteristic that other paints or materials do not have. So I knew that the piece should have textured drips which would be unique to crayons. Lastly, I have not seen a piece that uses want I call the Rolling Drip and Dot Drip processes in a completely abstract style. Here is a fun and unique abstract crayon melt!

WHAT WE ARE DOING

This abstract crayon textured wall art creation uses two different crayon melt processes, the Rolling Drip and the Dot Drip. First, we do the Dot Drip method with the highlight color crayon; second, the Rolling Drip technique using the rest of the crayons.

Supplies

Heat source: Heat gun, blowtorch, freezer defroster, and/or blowdryer.

Choosing the type of heat source can affect the results.

Blowdryers work best when you want an uncontrolled splattered result. The area will get messy. So take that into account in the setup where you will create your masterpiece.

Blowtorch is best used to drip crayons onto the canvas. Use a blowtorch with extreme caution. Avoid having the flame get too close to the canvas. (Full disclosure -- yes, I have burned through the canvas in the past.)

Freezer defroster (what my grandmother used to defrost her freezer) has a nice even heat and is best used to heat a grouping of crayons at the same time.

A heat gun, mainly used on the low speed, gives a more targeted result to a smaller grouping of crayons.

For this creation I used a blowtorch and a heat gun.

Easel: Used to lean the canvas at an angle.

Supplies From the Dollar Store

Glue: Liquid spray glue, PVC glue, or whatever you may have on hand that dries clear.

Crayons: Pick a color palette. Divide your color palette into main colors and highlight colors. I have done palettes with one main color group (like shades of blue) with black and white as the highlights. In addition, I have used palettes with a bunch of colors like in a rainbow or neon shades with white and/or black as highlight colors.

Helpful hint: I find it less expensive per crayon to buy boxes of assorted color crayons than to buy a bunch of crayons in an individual color. The colors that are leftover are later used for experimentation. Those pieces end up being some of my favorite creations! Cheap crayons vs. Crayola crayons... well take a look at the inspirational images in Step 1 Dot Drip, those use cheap crayons. I see no difference in the results nor any issues when using the Rolling Drip and Dot Drip techniques.

Metal stick or metal straw: Used as an extension to the crayon. Then you can heat the crayon using a blowtorch to drip onto the canvas. Be sure to use the blowtorch further away from your hand!!

Metal Cookie sheet: Used to block the heat from certain areas of the canvas while you are working to melt other areas.

Canvas: Any size. I have used 8”x10, 10”x16” and 16”x20” (The largest size was not from the dollar store.)

Optional Oven Mitt: Used to hold the cookie sheet.

Optional Plastic Sheet: Used to catch the drips and keep the area clean. Plastic sheets could be a shower curtain or a stiffer small plastic sheet that comes in a two pack.

READY, SET, GO!

Now you are ready to create your masterpiece. There are two steps with two different processes. The first step is Dot Drip the highlight shade onto the canvas. This process only covers about 30% of the canvas. Second is the Rolling Drip process with the rest of the color crayons.

Step 1: Dot Drip

This new Dot Drip technique is different from the famous artist Jackson Pollock's Drip method, in that it produces a dot not a splash of paint.

For the Dot Drip process, take most the paper off each crayon except at the very end (about 1/4 inch).

Tip: Soak the crayons in room temperature water to easily peel off the paper.

Glue or tape the crayons’ paper to the metal stick.

Lay the canvas flat on the table. Heat the crayons that are attached to the metal extension with a blowtorch, melting them so they dot drip onto the canvas. Dot Drip all over the canvas but do not completely cover the canvas. Just cover approximately 30%. (Since the white dots on white canvas is hard to see in an image, I included an image with black dots.) Let dry 2-5 minutes.

By the way, you can create fun wall art piece just using the Dot Drip method. Above, I've included a couple of images of inspirational ideas.

Step 2: Rolling Drip

For the Rolling Drip process, put the canvas flat on the table. Take the paper off all the crayons. Break the crayons into different lengths.

Helpful Tips: Save the crayon paper to make origamis or mixed-media projects. Soak the crayons in room temperature water to easily peel off the paper.

Do one section at a time and start from the bottom part of the canvas. This new technique will allow you to create drips throughout the canvas. Adhere each crayon with glue vertically onto the canvas in a scattered layout. Let it dry 2-5 minutes. Then place the canvas on an easel. Next, use a heat gun constantly moving left and right to heat the section of crayons. As soon as the crayons start rolling, stop the heat. You may need to start and stop the heat several times to create longer drips. Let it dry 2-5 minutes.

REPEAT Rolling Drip process for each additional section.

Important note: When using the heat source, cover the lower area with a metal cookie sheet to prevent the already-dripped crayons in the lower section from melting further. Remember, you want to keep the drip texture. Working from bottom up covering previous drips helps achieve that result.

When the new row of crayons start to drip, stop the heat and remove the metal sheet so that the drips will pass through the lower row.

Repeat the Rolling Drip Process until the canvas is covered. For the top section, have crayons completely fill the top row.

Step 3: Voilà

Voilà, your masterpiece is complete!

INSPIRATION

I did this technique with a set of colorful crayons and neon crayons. I have used this process as well with a diptych called Fire (reds) & Ice (blues). See images above.