It seems that crayons are slowly being shoved aside and replaced with the modern marker as the main tool used by children for drawing. That’s a shame. Markers definitely have their place as a tool for the artist, but crayons rule when it comes to exploring color.
Consider the Marker
Let’s face it. There’s not much to the darn things. The top is opened, the pen turned upside down and one slight touch of the tip releases the exact color represented by the color on the top. Presto! That’s why they are called magic markers. Effortless!
Their function includes, and is quite limited to, making lines, points and filling in spaces. There are classic, bold, pastel, florescent and color changing packages. The colors of most markers don’t blend together very well. The much needed tops disappear likes ships into the Bermuda triangle and dry up faster than Superman can fly.
Many markers smell awful. And what about those hideous stink sticks that are supposed to smell like fruit? Everyone just has to give them a taste only to be bitterly disappointed. Also there is no such thing as a white marker. What is up with that?
Consider the Crayon
The magic lies within the person holding it in their hand, not the manufacturer. Crayons require engagement. The outcome of the pictures is controlled by how the crayon is used. The value and intensity of the colors vary dramatically according to the amount of pressure exerted.
Crayons provide more opportunity for making lines of differing widths, and points change depending upon the level of sharpness of the points. Crayons break into different sizes, and can be dragged across the paper on their sides.
Crayons come like people, tall, short, chubby and slim, and now in nationality hues. They represent all shades of the spectrum, celebrating the beauty and subtleties of color. They have such beautiful names, like sea grass, tangerine orange, dandelion, burnt sienna, bubble gum, vermillion, wisteria and yes there are white crayons!
You can make your own colors with crayons by blending two, three or more together. Crayons are completely recyclable. They can even be melted down and made into new crayons.
Try to get your hands on some real crayons, made of beeswax, and you’ll never go back. These lovely crayons absorb body heat, warm in your hand, and smell like beeswax…..Ummmmm!
Consider the Marker
Markers are used up and chucked right into the trash, eventually winding up in a landfill with the rest of their dried up brothers and sisters.
Consider the Crayon
The humble little end pipsqueak of a crayon will keep on drawing, drawing, drawing until it is completely gone, hasta la vista, so long, bye bye birdie, outta here, later tater, bon voyage, ta ta for now, the party’s over, don’t let the door hit……
In fact, crayons actually vanish and disappear into thin air. MAGIC!
Victoria O’Neill, a multiple mediums artist and owner of ArtyPantz Productions LLC has been sharing her creativity with people of all ages for many years. She is also the inventor of the WrapADoodle Swaddle Blanket made in Chester County PA.
Philaburban Mom 