Wax Crayons - The Spirit of Matter - Orbach Galkin, 1997
- nonaorbach
- Feb 13
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 18
Medium Characteristics
These crayons are made of wax, which bonds the pigments. Significant pressure will result in intense colors, and extreme pressure may even cause the crayon to stick to the paper. Crayons allow for little blending. The pressure used while drawing is the determining factor: a very airy line when pressure is light and a deep and an intense line when heavy pressure is applied. Different sized wax crayons also create different kinds of lines. Young children should work with thick crayons that support a firm grasp for small hands.
Therapeutic and Spiritual Significance
Toddlers can enjoy the straightforwardness of wax crayons; they are non-threatening and convey fun and playfulness. More developed fine motor skills and strength are needed to produce intense color.
Crayons do not smear. They produce a clear clean line, a self-fulfilling experience. Adding pressure to acquire the full intensity of the colors is good training for delicate hand muscles that will later be needed to learn to write. The amount of pressure the child applies reflects his strength, determination, confidence and emotional involvement. The scribbled paper is also an indication of his cognitive and developmental stage.
While pressing the crayon to the paper toddlers beginning to scribble. They notice that the crayon sticks to the surface and makes a certain sound. Frequently they draw by pounding dots on the page, exclaiming: "Rain!" The auditory aspect is that which catches their attention. In contrast to scribbling with felt pens, working with wax crayons satisfies deeper layers of the spirit. A toddler scribbling with wax crayons expresses himself on the paper. He can control the lines and shapes.
Caran d'Ache crayons [in the image above] are especially recommended because the color that appears on the paper is identical to the crayon’s shade. Many other brands produce tones that are more transparent than the color of the crayon itself, resulting in frustration and disappointment.
Surfaces and Tools
Wax crayons and pencils work well together.
Any printing paper will do. Working with Wax Crayons o Experimenting with different pressures and line qualities of the crayons Initial Encountersץ
Scribble, trying different amounts of pressure on the crayons and different types of lines.
Fill in areas with the tip and the width of the crayon, trying to create layers.
Try to cover one color with another by using the tip of the crayon.
Work with crayons and then cover the drawing with watercolor (the crayons will not be covered because of the wax in them).
Draw with a pencil and fill in with crayons.
The text is based on The Spirit of Matter / A Database Handbook for Therapists, Artists, and Educators Nona Orbach and Lilach Galkin, 1997
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