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Starry Galaxy Art

- Books & Language Arts
- History & Social Studies
- Grades 6-8
- Grades 4-5
- Grades 1-3
Learn how to create a funky galaxy background, using a stiff bristle brush! Complete your art with our free printable.
Materials
- 25 Pack Assorted Paint Brushes
- Watercolor Paint Palette
- White Cardstock
- Small foam or plastic plate
- Wax Paper
- Scissors
Instructions
Step 1. Gather your supplies.
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| Step 2.
Place a piece of white card stock on a sheet of wax paper. Spray one very light coat of blue Simply Spray® Project Paint on the card stock. Tip: Begin and end spraying off the project to prevent splatter. |
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| Step 3.
Spray one light coat of black Simply Spray® Project Paint as a second layer on the card stock. You should be able to still see some of the blue paint underneath the black. |
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| Step 4.
Put a small amount of white paint on a small foam plate. Add a tiny bit of water to thin the paint. |
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| Step 5.
First you will practice the following technique that will be used to make stars on your galaxy. Apply paint on a stiff bristle brush. While holding it on hand, using the index finger on your opposite hand to pull the bristles back, as shown. Release the bristles towards the wax paper, which causes a thing spray of white paint. Heavy paint will create bigger drops, or stars, and paint thinned with water will create smaller drops, or stars. |
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| Step 6.
Once you have mastered this technique, it’s time to apply the stars to your galaxy picture. Cover the whole sheet with your assortment of stars. Mix larger drops with smaller drops to create the your scene. Set you picture aside to dry. |
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| Step 7.
To finish your design, draw planet shapes, the sun and moons on a piece of paper. If desired, download our free printable by clicking the “template” button. NOTE: our design does not represent all the planets but a sampling of shapes and designs seen in the solar system. |
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| Step 8.
Paint your shapes and allow to dry. We used our Watercolor Paint palette to create a different texture on our design. |
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| Step 9.
Cut out the planets. |
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| Step 10.
To finish your picture, cut out the planet shapes and glue them onto your starry background. |
Teacher's Corner
The life and legacy of NASA mathematician, Katherine Johnson, is out-of-this-world — just like this customizable printable craft!
Lesson Objectives
- Do the Math: At the age of 18, Katherine Johnson already graduated college with degrees in French and Mathematics! She focused on analytic geometry, or the study of shapes using coordinates — which prepared her for a career as a NASA “human computer!”
- The Sky’s the Limit: During Johnson’s time at NASA, it was rare for an African-American woman to be a leading mathematician. Still, her quick calculations helped launch the first astronauts into space and eventually land them on the Moon! Add some math to your students’ crafts by having them calculate the distances between their planets with a ruler.
Follow-up Discussion
Katherine Johnson was one of four brilliant women who helped launch the U.S. into space! As a class, read Margot Lee Shetterly’s Hidden Figures to learn more about the ground-breaking work these mathematicians accomplished. Then, break into groups to discuss the importance of their work, especially in the 1960s.