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When your child proudly holds up their artwork, the first words out of your mouth might be: “What is it?” It’s an easy reflex—we want to show interest and understand what we’re looking at! But for a lot of kids, that question can cause hesitation or self-doubt. If they weren’t trying to draw something “realistic,” they might feel like they did it wrong. At Orange Easel, we see this moment all the time in the studio. And it’s a powerful one. Because with just a few different words, parents and teachers can help kids feel proud, confident, and creative.  Why “What Is It?” Can Be TrickyWhen we ask “What is it?”, we’re often focusing on recognition—trying to name what we see. But kids’ art isn’t always about making something recognizable. Sometimes it’s about experimenting with color, exploring texture, or expressing emotion. By shifting the conversation away from naming and toward noticing, we help children see that their creative choices matter. What to Say Instead
Why These Words MatterThese simple changes spark richer conversations about art—and confidence. When kids know their ideas are valued, they take more creative risks, stay curious longer, and start to think like artists. That’s the goal here at Orange Easel: building a generation of confident, expressive creators who aren’t afraid to share their vision. Try It at HomeNext time your child creates something, pause before asking questions. Look closely. Notice the effort, the choices, the joy. Then start your sentence with: 👉 “I notice…” or “Tell me about…” Those two little phrases change everything. Whether you’re at the kitchen table or in our studio, every time you talk about art with your child, you’re helping shape how they see themselves as a creator. Let’s make sure they see what we see--an artist. Want to keep these conversation ideas handy?
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Family dinners are about more than food—they’re a chance to connect, laugh, and make memories. And what better way to do that than with a little creativity? Here are five quick art games you can play at the table with nothing more than paper and pencils (or crayons, markers, whatever you have handy). These games take just a few minutes each and work with kids of all ages. They’re silly, light-hearted, and guaranteed to bring out giggles.  1. The 3-Minute Monster
2. Dinner Doodle Swap
3. The Snack Superhero
4. Silly Scribble Portraits
5. What’s Missing?
Why Play Art Games?These little bursts of creativity help kids:
Next time dinner gets a little quiet (or chaotic), pull out a pencil and try one of these games. Creativity doesn’t need a lot of supplies—just a spark of imagination.
What’s your family’s favorite dinner table game? Drop a comment and share! At Orange Easel, we believe learning doesn’t stop at the art table. As educators, we’re just as invested in helping our teens grow as individuals as we are in helping them grow as artists. That’s why we created our Junior Staff Program--a volunteer opportunity designed to give teens real-world experience, mentorship, and a supportive environment where they can build confidence and responsibility.  For many teens, Junior Staff is the first step toward eventually applying for a paid job—either with us or somewhere else. It's a low-pressure way to learn the basics of showing up on time, working with a team, and supporting young students. While you're volunteering, it's also the perfect time to start laying the groundwork for future employment. Here’s a checklist of things you can do now to get yourself ready to apply for your first job when the time comes: Getting Job-Ready: A Teen Checklist
Volunteering as Junior Staff is a great way to build many of these habits. You’ll gain experience, meet mentors, and learn what it means to be part of a creative workplace—all before you even get your first paycheck.
If you're ready to take that first step, learn more about our Junior Staff Program here. We’d love to have you on our team. Why Live Art Classes Beat “Watch Later” VideosIf your child loves art, chances are you’ve tried a few on-demand art tutorials. They’re wonderful in theory—unlimited access, pause when you need to, start anytime. But here’s the truth: a lot of those projects never actually happen. Life gets busy, the link gets buried, and the “someday project” stays on the to-do list. At Orange Easel, we do things differently: In our Creation Nation Art Club, we teach live. Just like our in-studio students. And it makes all the difference. Why Live Classes Work (Especially for Kids)
10 Silly Drawing Prompts for Artsy Kids
Snack Superhero – Turn whatever you’re eating into a superhero with a cape and powers. Animal Mix-Up – Combine two animals into one creature (e.g., giraffe + octopus). Backpack Monster – Imagine your backpack came to life—what does it look like? Tiny House Tour – Draw what it would be like to live inside a shoe. Doodle Dinner – What would a pizza look like if it had feelings? Sky Swap – Instead of clouds, fill the sky with something else (donuts, balloons, eyeballs!). Alien Selfie – Draw an alien taking a selfie on their home planet. Pet in Disguise – Your pet (or dream pet) is secretly a superhero—draw their secret costume. Upside-Down World – Imagine everything in your room is glued to the ceiling—how does it look? Robot Chef – Design a robot who can only make one food—what does it look like?
The bottom line: LIVE classes don’t just teach kids to make art; they teach kids to keep making art. One of the questions we hear most often from families is: “What happens after my child completes Drawing 102?”  It’s a great question—especially when your artist is enthusiastic, dedicated, and eager to “level up.” But the truth is, our Drawing 102 curriculum is designed to be repeated—and repeated again if needed. Let us explain why that’s not only okay... it’s ideal. Drawing 102 Is Built for Growth Over TimeDrawing 102 is designed for artists in grades 3rd-6th, and it’s one of our most lesson-rich classes. Students work entirely in a sketchbook provided by the studio, completing weekly exercises in topics like:
This class isn’t about producing finished pieces (with the exception of March’s art show prep). It’s about building skills through repetition, practice, and feedback.  Why Repeat It?Although the structure of Drawing 102 remains consistent each year, your child doesn’t stay the same. The way an 11-year-old hears a lesson about facial proportions is very different from how they understood it at age 9. The same goes for drawing a hand in foreshortened perspective, or applying two-point perspective to a cityscape. Each year, they approach the material with new maturity, deeper focus, and stronger foundational skills. You don’t learn to play piano in a single year. Or shoot perfect free throws. Or dance with perfect timing. Drawing is the same. Artists improve through consistent, intentional practice. By repeating Drawing 102, students get the time and space they need to grow—not just in skill, but in their confidence, voice, and understanding of the art form. So When Do You Move to Drawing 103?Drawing 103 is for 7th–12th grade artists who are ready to tackle monthly projects, build a personal style, and explore advanced creative challenges. It’s less structured, more independent, and better suited for teens who’ve spent time building their foundational skills.
We want every artist to thrive in their class. Repeating Drawing 102 ensures that when the time comes to move up, they’re not just ready—they’re empowered. At Orange Easel, we offer three levels of drawing classes—and two distinct styles of drawing exploration. Whether your artist dreams of designing original characters or mastering realism, we’ve got a place for them to grow. Not sure which class is the right fit? We’ve got you covered. Our Drawing Class LevelsWe divide our drawing classes into three age-appropriate, skill-building levels:
What do you do after you've done a full year of 102? But not old enough for 103? Click here to learn more » Realistic vs Illustrative Drawing StylesIn Drawing 102 and 103, students often begin to lean into a preferred style—either realistic or illustrative (sometimes both!). We love watching artists explore both styles—and many of our projects encourage crossover and experimentation. And here’s a quick visual summary: Want the Full Walkthrough? Watch the Live Replay!If you're the kind of parent who likes to see the whole picture, we’ve got a deep-dive just for you. In this 30-minute YouTube Live, we walk through: ✅ The difference between Drawing 101, 102, and 103 ✅ What sketchbooks we use in class ✅ A peek inside real student work from Drawing 102 ✅ Curriculum examples and weekly lesson structures It’s a great way to get a feel for how we teach—and why our drawing program is so loved by students and parents alike. Need Help Deciding?Our team is happy to help with placement or answer questions before fall registration opens on August 1st.
📩 Contact us here or just reply to any email—we’d love to learn more about your artist! At Orange Easel, we believe every child is an artist—but not every artist thrives in the same environment or has the same goals. That’s why we offer a wide variety of art classes tailored to different interests, skill levels, and learning styles. The biggest difference between the two: Multimedia classes make a project with a different media every month. Drawing classes tackle a different lesson every WEEK and do all their work in a sketchbook or portfolio folder. Whether your child is a hands-on maker, an aspiring illustrator, or a curious beginner, we have a class that fits! Here’s a breakdown of our core offerings to help you find the perfect fit: Multimedia Classes: For the Creators, Explorers, and Makers
Drawing Classes: For the Thinkers, Sketchers, and Visual StorytellersDrawing classes at Orange Easel are perfect for kids who want to develop their technical skills and build confidence with line, shape, shading, and composition. In our drawing classes, we work in sketchbook and tackle different lesson each week. Finished art in not the objective...just the workout! We offer three levels of drawing classes—each one tailored to your child’s age and experience:
Can’t Decide? You Don’t Have To!
Make the Comparison At Orange Easel, we offer two core art class types—Multimedia and Drawing—each with its own unique focus and creative experience. Not sure which one is the best fit for your young artist? This side-by-side comparison can help you decide!
Still Not Sure?That’s okay! We’re happy to help guide you. Our team is available to answer questions or even offer placement advice before registration opens. Want help picking the right class? We're happy to do individual assessments...send us an email [email protected] to set it up! Related Links:Celebrating our incredible young artists What a weekend! We wrapped up our annual Orange Easel Art Show and couldn’t be more proud of the amazing creativity, hard work, and heart our students poured into their artwork this year. This show was a celebration of hundreds of original pieces created by artists ages 4–18 across both of our studio locations. The gallery was filled with paintings, drawings, sculptures, mixed media, fiber arts, and more—each piece telling a unique story and reflecting the growth and imagination of its creator. Thank you to all the families, friends, and community members who came out to support our artists! Photo GalleryHere's a peek at the show! Scroll through our event gallery below to see highlights from the exhibition, including artist displays, award moments, and candid smiles. Artists Who ExhibitedThis year’s show featured work from over 208 young artists. Each of these students selected one favorite artwork to represent their creative journey this year. Full list of exhibiting artists with the title of their artwork and category: Adelise Y. (11 years) - Aspen Trees, Painting Allison J. (Instructor) - Sunset Sail, Realistic Drawing Amelia F. (7 years) - Amelia's Art, Illustrative Drawing Amelia T. (6 years) - Pinkie Outerspace, Painting Andrew D. (5 years) - Snow Day, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking Annabelle T. (10 years) - Fruits, Realistic Drawing Antonia S. (11 years) - Summer, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking Audrey C. (12 years) - A Girl, Realistic Drawing Ava H. (13 years) - Galaxy Cow, Painting Ava L. (9 years) - Anxiety Bot, Illustrative Drawing Bexley N. (4 years) - Flowers, Painting Braelynn K. (6 years) - Mercat, Realistic Drawing Briella Y. (8 years) - Poppy, Illustrative Drawing Callen H. (10 years) - Angry Dragon, Realistic Drawing Caroline J. (10 years) - The Tall Giraffe, Painting Cheyenne S. (13 years) - Spooky Forest, Illustrative Drawing Elena B. (13 years) - Alejandro, Illustrative Drawing Elena T. (11 years) - Swamp Fishing, Illustrative Drawing Elizabeth R. (Instructor) - Solar Optics, Painting Ella C. (17 years) - Spectator, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking Elle J. (6 years) - Special Hamburger, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking Elsie M. (13 years) - Missy, my baby, Realistic Drawing Evanne M. (9 years) - Pumpkins, Realistic Drawing Giuliana S. (11 years) - The Cactus Snake, Realistic Drawing Graham H. (8 years) - Shipwreck and Sea Friends, Realistic Drawing Guinevere R. (9 years) - Two Hands, Painting Harper K. (14 years) - Argos, Illustrative Drawing Hendrix H. (10 years) - The Goat Keeper Revenge, Illustrative Drawing Hughy B. (9 years) - A Snowy Night, Painting Indiera G. (15 years) - Camera time!, Illustrative Drawing Isla K. (13 years) - Lunch Break, Illustrative Drawing Iyla D. (5 years) - The Great Singer, Illustrative Drawing Jensen Z. (6 years) - Me Playing Basketball, Realistic Drawing Jovie B. (4 years) - Rainbow, Painting Kais M. (7 years) - Mushroomvill, Illustrative Drawing Kara F. (6 years) - Sunset at the Treehouse, Illustrative Drawing Khloe A. (12 years) - Kinito exe, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking Layla B. (10 years) - JADE, Painting Liam N. (7 years) - The Eaters, Painting Liam W. (12 years) - Potato, Illustrative Drawing Libby H. (8 years) - Smiley Worm, Painting Lillian N. (10 years) - May’s Portrait, Illustrative Drawing Lilyanna B. (15 years) - Parkour Through Life, Illustrative Drawing Luke H. (11 years) - Holes in Space, Illustrative Drawing Lyle B. (7 years) - A Forest, Illustrative Drawing Madeleine S. (10 years) - Multicolored Jungle, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking Magnolia C. (9 years) - Wonka Bar, Realistic Drawing Maia B. (7 years) - Pikachu Thunderbolt, Illustrative Drawing Malcolm R. (10 years) - The Telephones, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking McKinley S. (9 years) - Sol De Janeiro, Realistic Drawing Nima A. (7 years) - Loving, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking Olivia B. (7 years) - Under the Sea, Realistic Drawing Paisley B. (12 years) - My Pet Chicken, Painting Raegan D. (9 years) - Fun Bright Rainbow Cat Riding a Rainbow, Illustrative Drawing Reardon W. (10 years) - Distressed Lizard, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking Remi M. (9 years) - Julia and God, Illustrative Drawing Russell M. (4 years) - The Red Fish and The Shark, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking Sam G. (9 years) - Einstein’s Mustache, Realistic Drawing Sara W. (Instructor) - Coneflowers, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking Sofia W. (8 years) - Castle, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking Sophia G. (10 years) - Frog in Dark, Illustrative Drawing Sophie Y. (9 years) - Parrot, Realistic Drawing Adalind M. (9 years) - Fish ocean, Realistic Drawing Adeline D. (5 years) - Flower, Painting Adriana L. (8 years) - A Special Party, Illustrative Drawing Alivia O. (11 years) - Emily Binx Pet Portrait, Painting Amber G. (15 years) - For My Mom, Realistic Drawing Autumn P. (5 years) - The Flamingo, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking Ava-Marie S. (10 years) - Gabriel’s Ghost, Illustrative Drawing Celeste D. (9 years) - The Splendid Rainforest, Realistic Drawing Chloe Y. (8 years) - The Pumpkin of Colors, Painting Claire B. (14 years) - A Dynamic Duo, Illustrative Drawing Clara E. (7 years) - Peacock, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking Clementine S. (12 years) - Hexfire School of Magic, Illustrative Drawing Cora S. (10 years) - Enchanted Tree, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking Daniela R. (11 years) - Puppets Visit, Illustrative Drawing Edgar B. (4 years) - Colorful Car Parking Lot, Painting Elizabeth M. (9 years) - Baby Harper, Illustrative Drawing Emma B. (10 years) - Queen Blaze, Realistic Drawing Ethan A. (7 years) - Cutie Pie Kitty, Illustrative Drawing Eve P. (7 years) - Tiffany Sunshine, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking Evelyn M. (11 years) - Cats in the Woods, Illustrative Drawing Felicity H. (11 years) - Watching, Waiting, Potato, Illustrative Drawing Gabriel G. (13 years) - Branson's Triumph, Realistic Drawing Gabriella B. (10 years) - Your Nightmare, Illustrative Drawing Glory K. (10 years) - Red Mushrooms, Illustrative Drawing Grace V. (Instructor) - Batrick, Painting Jackie A. (Instructor) - Jungle Glow, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking Jocelyn L. (10 years) - Chaos, Illustrative Drawing Katy C. (13 years) - Drowning, Illustrative Drawing Kya M. (9 years) - Balloon dog, Illustrative Drawing Kyla G. (6 years) - Fish Tank, Realistic Drawing Layla C. (8 years) - A Beautiful Sunset, Realistic Drawing Leslie S. (11 years) - Flora, Realistic Drawing Lila M. (13 years) - Inescapable, Illustrative Drawing Lily G. (9 years) - Kitty After Day of Hunting, Painting Lily S. (13 years) - Sunset Reflection, Painting Lily W. (12 years) - Dr Pepper, Realistic Drawing Maddox W. (7 years) - The Pool of the Missing Stuff, Illustrative Drawing Maeve T. (4 years) - Blue and Green, Painting Malcolm M. (12 years) - GNX, Illustrative Drawing Mark A. (6 years) - The Rainbow Square, Illustrative Drawing Mason H. (16 years) - definetly not a praying mantis, Illustrative Drawing Mateo T. (4 years) - Rocky Mountains Everything, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking Melissa M. (Instructor) - Monkey Around, Realistic Drawing Mia B. (6 years) - Rainbow Splash, Illustrative Drawing Miles B. (8 years) - Warren Warriors, Illustrative Drawing Millie K. (14 years) - Jellycat, Realistic Drawing Noelle G. (8 years) - Forge a Dragon, Realistic Drawing Paxton B. (13 years) - Bea-Dog, Realistic Drawing Phoebe P. (10 years) - Garden on the Farm, Realistic Drawing Ruby V. (6 years) - Standing on the World, Illustrative Drawing Samantha D. (10 years) - The Calm Jungle Night, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking Sophie M. (15 years) - Bygone Eras, Illustrative Drawing Sydney D. (6 years) - The Crazy Robot, Painting Teddy C. (9 years) - The Snails and Slug of Fantasy Kingdom, Illustrative Drawing Ursa V. (7 years) - Kitty Collage, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking Vienna P. (9 years) - Rainforest Dragon Kingdom, Illustrative Drawing Vivien C. (9 years) - Vivi’s OG Characters, Illustrative Drawing Zelda I. () - , Zoe R. (10 years) - The Piercing Eye of a Swordfish, Illustrative Drawing Zoey D. (10 years) - The Moral, Realistic Drawing Aaiden M. (15 years) - Olivia, Realistic Drawing Aashni D. (9 years) - Elephant 🐘, Realistic Drawing Abigail G. (9 years) - Short n Sweet, Illustrative Drawing Addy D. (13 years) - Stitched cat, Realistic Drawing Alison H. (6 years) - The art explosion, 3D Mixed Media & Sculpture Bekah J. (8 years) - The Sightseer, 3D Mixed Media & Sculpture Brooke A. (8 years) - Under the Ocean, Realistic Drawing Cecilia C. (8 years) - Sunset Birdhouse, Realistic Drawing Charlotte B. (9 years) - “This is giving me beach vibes”, Painting Clara N. (8 years) - Fun in the Sun, Illustrative Drawing Clare F. (13 years) - The Internet, Illustrative Drawing Cohen B. (7 years) - Robotic Bowser, Illustrative Drawing Corrie C. (9 years) - Emereld Discovery, Illustrative Drawing Delaney C. (12 years) - The tranquil pond, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking Dylan B. (10 years) - The Colorful Chicken, Illustrative Drawing Dylan W. (14 years) - Daydream, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking Eden H. (9 years) - “You choose it”, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking Eleanor B. (10 years) - Bailey, Painting Eleanor W. (4 years) - Izzy Catty Cat, Illustrative Drawing Eli P. (10 years) - Fish on a Sunny Day, Realistic Drawing Ella P. (8 years) - Flowers, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking Elliana A. (13 years) - The Climb, Painting Emerson S. (9 years) - Bat, Illustrative Drawing Emery C. (8 years) - The Cool Colors Bird, Painting Enoc S. (10 years) - Outer Space, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking Evelyn S. (10 years) - Flamingo Flowers, Painting Gemma J. (7 years) - Spot, Illustrative Drawing Goldie K. (10 years) - Shades of the Savannah, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking Grace G. (7 years) - The Macaron, 3D Mixed Media & Sculpture Graham S. (10 years) - War of Bugs, Illustrative Drawing Gus M. (11 years) - Guest’s Domain, Illustrative Drawing Gwen K. (11 years) - Out of this World, Illustrative Drawing Harper S. (8 years) - Bella, 3D Mixed Media & Sculpture Harrison G. (6 years) - Rainbow Glitter, Painting Huxley P. (10 years) - Lots of Stuff in my Head, Illustrative Drawing Ivaan P. (12 years) - Soccer Player Shooting a Ball, Illustrative Drawing Jackson R. (5 years) - Great Wreck of the Old 97, Realistic Drawing Jaxson W. (16 years) - Otter the SeaWing, Painting Jocelyn R. (13 years) - Fireflies in the Darkness, Illustrative Drawing Johanna E. (11 years) - Molly the Sleepy Dog, Painting Katherine W. (5 years) - Cats, Painting Kristi F. (Instructor) - Carnesaurus, 3D Mixed Media & Sculpture Laura R. (Instructor) - Bowl of Ramen, Realistic Drawing Laurissa K. (15 years) - Domain 22: Shattered Eyes of Emotion, Realistic Drawing Liana G. (3 years) - Snow Mitten, 3D Mixed Media & Sculpture Lilly A. (11 years) - Black and White Highland Cows, Realistic Drawing Lily S. (8 years) - Gem Cat, Illustrative Drawing Loral F. (6 years) - Peachy Queen, Painting Lucy G. (10 years) - Jungle Sadness, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking Lucy V. (14 years) - Dark Signs, Illustrative Drawing Madison M. (9 years) - A Little Bird, Realistic Drawing Madisyn C. (6 years) - Madisyn's Masterpiece, Realistic Drawing Mariella F. (9 years) - Rainbow Me, Illustrative Drawing Matthew C. (12 years) - Leopard Gecko, Illustrative Drawing Max F. (12 years) - Jellyfish, the Many Colors, Realistic Drawing Mckenzie D. (9 years) - Babby Brother, Realistic Drawing Mia C. (12 years) - Astronomy Teacher, Illustrative Drawing Milana W. (7 years) - Avocado, Painting Monroe C. (7 years) - My Papa's Lakehouse, Realistic Drawing Murphy C. (7 years) - Mineart music, 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking Myka K. (13 years) - Road to Tabyana Beach, Painting Nancy M. (Instructor) - Untitled, Painting Natalie E. (10 years) - Nemo, 3D Mixed Media & Sculpture Nicolette J. (6 years) - Squishmellow school, Illustrative Drawing Noah V. (7 years) - Flappy, 3D Mixed Media & Sculpture Noelle R. (8 years) - Art Birds (Blue Bell), 3D Mixed Media & Sculpture Nora R. (7 years) - Strings on a Paintbrush, 3D Mixed Media & Sculpture Oliver D. (7 years) - Shark with Top Hat Dude, Painting Olivia A. (7 years) - Princess, Illustrative Drawing Owen G. (9 years) - Take me out to the ball game!, 3D Mixed Media & Sculpture Penelope J. (11 years) - Jail Time, Illustrative Drawing Penny A. (9 years) - Messy Hand, 3D Mixed Media & Sculpture Preston D. (13 years) - Breakfast, Realistic Drawing Reagan H. (9 years) - Harley Quinn, Realistic Drawing Safa A. (4 years) - Shark Finny, 3D Mixed Media & Sculpture Sienna C. (4 years) - Dinosaur flower, Realistic Drawing Sofia D. (10 years) - Sandwich vs Fork, Realistic Drawing Stella R. (11 years) - Evie daVinci, Painting Tara L. (10 years) - Summer Field Pets, Realistic Drawing Thane A. (6 years) - Banana Octopus, 3D Mixed Media & Sculpture Vala R. (13 years) - Luno’s Light, Illustrative Drawing Van B. (11 years) - The Essence of Ford, Painting Violet C. (13 years) - Two Ladybugs, Realistic Drawing 2024–25 Award WinnersCongratulations to all of our award recipients! Our judges evaluated work based on creativity, craftsmanship, originality, and overall impact. It was a tough job with so much talent on display. 1st Place - Russell M. (4 years), The Red Fish and The Shark - 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking (Preschool) 2nd Place - Mateo T. (4 years), Rocky Mountains Everything - 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking (Preschool) 3rd Place - Autumn P. (5 years), The Flamingo - 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking (Preschool) 1st Place - Safa A. (4 years), Shark Finny - 3D Mixed Media & Sculpture (Preschool) 2nd Place - Liana G. (3 years), Snow Mitten - 3D Mixed Media & Sculpture (Preschool) 1st Place - Eleanor W. (4 years), Izzy Catty Cat - Illustrative Drawing (Preschool) 1st Place - Bexley N. (4 years), Flowers - Painting (Preschool) 2nd Place - Katherine W. (5 years), Cats - Painting (Preschool) 3rd Place - Jovie B. (4 years), Rainbow - Painting (Preschool) 1st Place - Jackson R. (5 years), Great Wreck of the Old 97 - Realistic Drawing (Preschool) 2nd Place - Sienna C. (4 years), Dinosaur flower - Realistic Drawing (Preschool) 1st Place - Sofia W. (8 years), Castle - 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking (K-3rd Grade) 2nd Place - Clara E. (7 years), Peacock - 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking (K-3rd Grade) 3rd Place - Andrew D. (5 years), Snow Day - 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking (K-3rd Grade) Honorable Mention - Eve P. (7 years), Tiffany Sunshine - 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking (K-3rd Grade) Honorable Mention - Ursa V. (7 years), Kitty Collage - 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking (K-3rd Grade) 1st Place - Penny A. (9 years), Messy Hand - 3D Mixed Media & Sculpture (K-3rd Grade) 2nd Place - Harper S. (8 years), Bella - 3D Mixed Media & Sculpture (K-3rd Grade) 3rd Place - Noah V. (7 years), Flappy - 3D Mixed Media & Sculpture (K-3rd Grade) Honorable Mention - Noelle R. (8 years), Art Birds (Blue Bell) - 3D Mixed Media & Sculpture (K-3rd Grade) Honorable Mention - Nora R. (7 years), Strings on a Paintbrush - 3D Mixed Media & Sculpture (K-3rd Grade) Honorable Mention - Thane J. (6 years), Banana Octopus - 3D Mixed Media & Sculpture (K-3rd Grade) 1st Place - Vienna P. (9 years), Rainforest Dragon Kingdom - Illustrative Drawing (K-3rd Grade) 2nd Place - Emerson C. (9 years), Bat - Illustrative Drawing (K-3rd Grade) 3rd Place - Kya M. (9 years), Balloon dog - Illustrative Drawing (K-3rd Grade) Honorable Mention - Ava L. (9 years), Anxiety Bot - Illustrative Drawing (K-3rd Grade) 1st Place - Guinevere R. (9 years), Two Hands - Painting (K-3rd Grade) 2nd Place - Libby H. (8 years), Smiley Worm - Painting (K-3rd Grade) 3rd Place - Lily G. (9 years), Kitty After Day of Hunting - Painting (K-3rd Grade) Honorable Mention - Hughy B. (9 years), A Snowy Night - Painting (K-3rd Grade) Honorable Mention - Loral F. (6 years), Peachy Queen - Painting (K-3rd Grade) Honorable Mention - Milana W. (7 years), Avocado - Painting (K-3rd Grade) 1st Place - Sam G. (9 years), Einstein’s Mustache - Realistic Drawing (K-3rd Grade) 2nd Place - Mckenzie D. (9 years), Babby Brother - Realistic Drawing (K-3rd Grade) 3rd Place - Kyla G. (6 years), Fish Tank - Realistic Drawing (K-3rd Grade) Honorable Mention - Adalind M. (9 years), Fish ocean - Realistic Drawing (K-3rd Grade) Honorable Mention - Jensen Z. (6 years), Me Playing Basketball - Realistic Drawing (K-3rd Grade) Honorable Mention - Sophie Y. (9 years), Parrot - Realistic Drawing (K-3rd Grade) 1st Place - Madeleine S. (10 years), Multicolored Jungle - 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking (4th/5th Grade) 1st Place - Antonia S. (11 years), Summer - 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking (4th/5th Grade) 2nd Place - Lucy W. (10 years), Jungle Sadness - 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking (4th/5th Grade) 3rd Place - Malcolm R. (10 years), The Telephones - 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking (4th/5th Grade) Honorable Mention - Cora S. (10 years), Enchanted Tree - 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking (4th/5th Grade) Honorable Mention - Goldie K. (10 years), Shades of the Savannah - 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking (4th/5th Grade) 1st Place - Natalie E. (10 years), Nemo - 3D Mixed Media & Sculpture (4th/5th Grade) 1st Grade - Zoe R. (10 years), The Piercing Eye of a Swordfish - Illustrative Drawing (4th/5th Grade) 2nd Grade - Hendrix H. (10 years), The Goat Keeper Revenge - Illustrative Drawing (4th/5th Grade) 3rd Grade - Huxley P. (10 years), Lots of Stuff in my Head - Illustrative Drawing (4th/5th Grade) Honorable Mention - Daniela R. (11 years), Puppets Visit - Illustrative Drawing (4th/5th Grade) Honorable Mention - Evelyn M. (11 years), Cats in the Woods - Illustrative Drawing (4th/5th Grade) Honorable Mention - Penelope J. (11 years), Jail Time - Illustrative Drawing (4th/5th Grade) 1st Place - Van B. (11 years), The Essence of Ford - Painting (4th/5th Grade) 2nd Place - Eleanor B. (10 years), Bailey - Painting (4th/5th Grade) 3rd Place - Alivia O. (11 years), Emily Binx Pet Portrait - Painting (4th/5th Grade) Honorable Mention - Adelise Y. (11 years), Aspen Trees - Painting (4th/5th Grade) Honorable Mention - Layla B. (10 years), JADE - Painting (4th/5th Grade) 1st Place - McKinley S. (9 years), Sol De Janeiro - Realistic Drawing (4th/5th Grade) 2nd Place - Eli P. (10 years), Fish on a Sunny Day - Realistic Drawing (4th/5th Grade) 3rd Place - Aashni D. (9 years), Elephant 🐘 - Realistic Drawing (4th/5th Grade) Honorable Mention - Annabelle T. (10 years), Fruits - Realistic Drawing (4th/5th Grade) Honorable Mention - Leslie S. (11 years), Flora - Realistic Drawing (4th/5th Grade) 1st Place - Delaney C. (12 years), The tranquil pond - 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking (6th/7th Grade) 2nd Place - Khloe S. (12 years), Kinito exe - 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking (6th/7th Grade) 1st Place / Best In Show - Isla K. (13 years), Lunch Break - Illustrative Drawing (6th/7th Grade) 2nd Grade - Lila M. (13 years), Inescapable - Illustrative Drawing (6th/7th Grade) 3rd Place - Vala R. (13 years), Luno’s Light - Illustrative Drawing (6th/7th Grade) Honorable Mention - Katy C. (13 years), Drowning - Illustrative Drawing (6th/7th Grade) Honorable Mention - Malcolm M. (12 years), GNX - Illustrative Drawing (6th/7th Grade) 1st Place - Paisley B. (12 years), My Pet Chicken - Painting (6th/7th Grade) 2nd Place - Lily S. (13 years), Sunset Reflection - Painting (6th/7th Grade) 3rd Place - Ava H. (13 years), Galaxy Cow - Painting (6th/7th Grade) 1st Place - Violet C. (13 years), Two Ladybugs - Realistic Drawing (6th/7th Grade) 2nd Place - Paxton B. (13 years), Bea-Dog - Realistic Drawing (6th/7th Grade) 3rd Place - Preston D. (13 years), Breakfast - Realistic Drawing (6th/7th Grade) Honorable Mention - Audrey C. (12 years), A Girl - Realistic Drawing (6th/7th Grade) 1st Place - Ella C. (17 years), Spectator - 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking (8th-12th Grade) 2nd Place - Dylan W. (14 years), Daydream - 2D Mixed Media & Printmaking (8th-12th Grade) 1st Place - Indiera G. (15 years), Camera time! - Illustrative Drawing (8th-12th Grade) 2nd Place - Harper K. (14 years), Argos - Illustrative Drawing (8th-12th Grade) 3rd Place - Claire B. (14 years), A Dynamic Duo - Illustrative Drawing (8th-12th Grade) Honorable Mention - Sophie M. (15 years), Bygone Eras - Illustrative Drawing (8th-12th Grade) 1st Place - Jaxson W. (16 years), Otter the SeaWing - Painting (8th-12th Grade) 1st Place - Millie K. (14 years), Jellycat - Realistic Drawing (8th-12th Grade) 2nd Place - Amber G. (15 years), For My Mom - Realistic Drawing (8th-12th Grade) 3rd Place - Aaiden M. (15 years), Olivia - Realistic Drawing (8th-12th Grade) Thank YouA huge thank you to our teaching team, families, volunteers, and of course—our amazing artists! We believe that art is for everyone, and this show is a reminder of how much kids can accomplish when given the space and support to create. Until next year, keep making and keep believing in your ideas. Artfully Yours, The Orange Easel Team  Want to join us?Our enrollment for 2025-26 School Year begins August 1st and we'd love to welcome you into our community! Learn more about our weekly art classes for ages 2-18.
Is there anything better than painting donuts? (Maybe eating them... but painting is a close second!) 🎨🍩 In this fun, beginner-friendly watercolor tutorial, I'll walk you through how to paint sweet, colorful donuts step-by-step. This project is perfect for practicing watercolor layering, blending colors, and just having some creative fun. Originally recorded as a Facebook Live, I’m excited to share it here with you now — complete with a supply list, written steps, and a Pinterest-perfect image if you want to save it for later! Watch the Video TutorialSkill Level + Time Estimate:Skill Level: Beginner-Friendly Project Time: About 30–45 minutes Supplies You'll Need
Watercolor Donut Painting Steps
Take your time and enjoy the process — this is all about layering and having fun with color! Make It Your Own!One of the best parts about this project is how creative you can get. Try different frosting colors. Add rainbow sprinkles, chocolate drizzle, or even little bite marks! No two donuts have to look the same — just like at the bakery. 🍩🎨 Save This Project for LaterHere's a Pinterest-friendly image you can use if you want to save this tutorial: 
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 | If you want to take LIVE online clases with us, we have an Art Club for that. Members get access to a library of hundreds of video tutorials! Learn more here: https://www.creationnationartclub.com/ |
If you paint your own watercolor donuts, I would love to see them — tag me on Instagram @orangeeaselart so I can cheer you on! 🎉
What's your favorite donut flavor? 🍩 Drop it in the comments — I’m team bavarian-cream-filled (with chocolate icing)!
After 10 amazing years of sharing process-based art ideas, our original blog was lost due to a technical issue. We're heartbroken—but also excited for a fresh start!
We're in the process of recreating some of our favorite posts and adding even more new lessons, studio updates, and inspiration for parents, educators, and young artists.
Thanks for being here. Whether you're a longtime Orange Easel fan or a brand new visitor—welcome! We're so glad you're part of our creative community.
Thanks for being here. Whether you're a longtime Orange Easel fan or a brand new visitor—welcome! We're so glad you're part of our creative community.
Want more studio news and process-based art ideas?
Subscribe below and we’ll send you creative inspiration, activity ideas, and studio updates—straight to your inbox!
Subscribe below and we’ll send you creative inspiration, activity ideas, and studio updates—straight to your inbox!
Allison May Jensen, owner
Orange Easel began in 2012—just me, teaching art to kids in my basement studio.
Since then, we've grown into two studio locations and team of artists teachers who share a passion for kids and creativity.
We're not a franchise. We're not a big corporation. We're a small, local business built on heart and art.
I'm so glad you're here! This blog is full of ideas, activities, and resources to inspire process-based art at home, in classrooms, and beyond.
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