One of our favorite Five in a Row books is Stopping By the Woods on a Snowy Evening. Of course the poem is by Robert Frost. And this being the start of winter, it is a perfect time for a snowy evening chalk art tutorial. We love the illustrations by Susan Jeffers.
Looking for a Snowy Evening video art lesson? Nana shared one with our You ARE an Artist Clubhouse members as a Master Class!
Snowy Evening Chalk Art Tutorial
Just a few supplies needed: plain, white paper. Black chalk pastel and some baby wipes or wet paper towels for easy clean up.
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Begin by simply sketching sticks for trees. You are creating the woods. And there is no other color. Just the woods and the snow. Black and white. Keep in mind that the wind blew the snow on one side of the trees. So aim to show that in your chalk painting. The woods are thick. The branches intersect.
The only other sound’s the sweepOf easy wind and downy flake.
Next, you might want to turn your attention to the one, nice, big, thick tree. Its branches are beautiful. Enjoy drawing the branches and the deep shadows on the left side with your black chalk pastel. Take your time and sketch the tiny branches too.
Now, your horse and sleigh are coming through the woods. Don’t worry too much about making them perfect. They are far away from the viewer. Notice that the horse is stepping, so one leg is bent. The horse also has warm blanket and the driver a warm cap.
Blend the woods just slightly. Do this by taking your finger and just carefully going over your black chalk marks. Just slightly. This helps to soften the woods – just like the snow!
I just love how these turned out! All with white paper and a black chalk pastel.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,But I have promises to keep,And miles to go before I sleep,And miles to go before I sleep.
Featuring You! You ARE an Artist!
So, paint your snowy evening art and be sure to share with us! Simply tag @chalkpastelart on Instagram, use the #YouAREanArtist hashtag, or upload a photo to the ChalkPastel.com Facebook page!
- A note on chalk pastels: Pastels are an easy, forgiving medium. Fun for children and adults alike! Details on the pastels and paper we use, how and where to purchase, and links to all of Nana’s other pastel lessons are here: Our Favorite Chalk Pastels
- The practical aspects of a mess: Pastels are blessedly messy. We always have baby wipes close by to wipe hands. We wear something we don’t mind getting stained or don a smock.
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Paint the snowy scene even if you don’t have snow out your door because – you ARE an artist!
-originally published January 2016
Thank you for doing projects that coincide with Five in a Row! We are starting this book this week and this is a perfect tie-in!
This is one of our very favorites from Five in a Row as well! Oh – enjoy!
Tricia! I am so excited about this chalk pastel!
My Daddy bought me this book a few years ago at Christmas because he liked the poem and thought I would too. (How sweet is that?!)
We used it as a FIAR book a year ago, and I just pulled it out again because I want my kiddos and me to memorize it.
So your chalk pastel is so timely!
We’re pushing our book work off to the afternoon so we can work on this chalk pastel this morning. yay!
Many thanks to you and Nana!
What a precious gift from your Daddy! Makes me so happy that this tutorial is so timely. We actually were drawn to the book before Christmas and did the chalk pastel then – but saved the tutorial for after Christmas for snow days and for January inspiration. Hooray for art morning! Have a wonderful time and thanks for starting off my day with a smile – knowing that you have chalk pastels out!
This is beautiful! I want to thank you, because you have brought the love of chalk pastel art into our home. We try to do an art project with the pastels once every week or so. They turn out amazing. The really good ones, I laminate and hang on our homeschool wall!
Elizabeth – what wonderful ideas – both doing an art project once a week and creating an art gallery. Love it! Chalk pastels are such fun to work with and I agree – with amazing results! Not to mention they are frugal 🙂 Thanks for your comment!
We started memorizing this poem today and the chalk pastel art was perfect. Thank you.
So proud of you! You ARE an artist!
Forever,
Nana
We just read this book and enjoyed the pictures so much. We immediately brought out the paper and pencils to start drawing pictures from it.
Thank you for all you do!!