The Badge Archive

Activity Description: Scouts explore color mixing and create a painting using color, line, and texture.

• Fulfills Step 2 of GSUSA Brownie Art and Design badge requirements
• Fulfills Step 3 of GSUSA Junior Art and Design badge requirements.

Info Needed: Different colors can show different feelings, like happy, sad, or calm. Colors also help us see and understand what things are, like a green tree or a blue sky. Using colors in art helps make the pictures more interesting and tells a story.

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Items Needed:
Red, blue, yellow, white, and black washable tempera paint
Paper plates for mixing
Paintbrushes or cotton swabs
Cups of water for rinsing
Paper for painting
Paper towels or table covering for easy cleanup
(Optional) Additional medium (chalk, pastels, etc.) if desired

Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 30 min):

1. Play a color warm-up game to help scouts notice colors around them (5 min)
   • Call out a color and scouts point to or walk to nearby objects that match.
   • Repeat with several colors to get them thinking about color in their environment.
2. Show scouts the primary colors and help them mix new ones (8 min)
   • Use red, yellow, and blue paint.
     • Mix red + yellow to make orange.
     • Mix blue + yellow to make green.
     • Mix red + blue to make purple.
   • (Optional) Add small amounts of white or black to change the shade.
3. Guide scouts in creating a painting that uses color, line, and texture (15 min)
   • Include at least one primary and one secondary color.
   • Use two or more types of lines (straight, wavy, zigzag).
   • (Optional) Add a texture effect like swirls for fur or sponging for roughness.
   • Scouts can paint anything they imagine, such as animals, gardens, or rainbows.
4. Help scouts clean up their area and rinse brushes (2 min)
   • Use paper towels and water cups.
   • (Optional) Let paintings dry flat before moving.