Everything else the kids assembled themselves. Since we had quite a few pieces to this project, I decided to prep all the easels in advance. FamilyFun also used color craft sticks for their easel, but I used plain wooden ones so the kids could decorate them with markers. They used regular-sized craft sticks, but I found the larger craft sticks much easier to work with, and much sturdier. The easel is the trickiest part of this project, so we’ll start there! It’s a slight modification on a craft stick easel I spotted in FamilyFun magazine many years ago. A small piece of felt for top of beret (approximately 1.75″ x 2″).A circle of felt, any color (approximately 9.5″ in diameter).A large strip of poster board for beret band, any color (approximately 1.5″ x 22″).A small piece of brown paper lunch bag (approximately 2″ x 3″).9 squares of self-adhesive foam in various colors (approximately 1.5″ x 1.5″ each).An 8.75″ x 13″ piece of tagboard (or brown poster board).1 small strip of card stock (approximately 1.5″ x 4″).1 small triangle of card stock (with 2″ base and 3″ sides).4 plain craft sticks (the larger ones work best – mine were.

From different mediums to fresh perspectives, Hugo will never run out of ideas again! All Hugo had to do was change the way he looks at things. Finally, at the top of the Eiffel Tower, Hugo has an inspiration! Rushing home to Cornville, he climbs to the top of the fire department’s tower and views his familiar world from a completely different perspective. As the two friends explore the city, Hugo is artistically influenced by the things he sees (and the concepts are cleverly conveyed with elephant puns). Hugo’s friend Miles convinces him to take a trip to Paris. After hundreds of painting, there is nothing left to paint, and Hugo is out of ideas. Hugo the elephant is an artist who is about to encounter a massive existential problem. We read I’ve Painted Everything! by Scott Magoon (Houghton Mifflin, 2007). Super sweet beret? Check! You’re fully prepared for some adventures in art!

Paintbrush adventures