Draw an elephant in six simple steps. If desired, pencil in some fun designs and color them to make a picture of a painted elephant.

Click on the image and print the step-by-step directions, a drawing guide, and an example completed painted elephant.

Learn about henna body art and then try your hand at creating a design on a paper hand. Then display all the hands as a community project.

Click on the image for all of the information and directions you need.

Click on an image. You will find: 1) a black and white picture with numbers and a color guide; 2) a colored sample with numbers and a color guide; 3) a black and white picture without numbers or color guide.

Tip: If you want to display your finished picture and don't want the numbers showing, then use the drawing without numbers.

If you prefer, print ALL the paint-by-number pages at once.

Click on an image. Print the drawing and a sample of how the finished picture might look.

If you prefer, print ALL the coloring pages at once.

Stand-Up Peacock

In 1963, the peacock was declared the National Bird of India because of its rich religious and legendary involvement in Indian traditions.

Since we are celebrating India as our Monthly Theme, this is a perfect coloring project.

Click on the image for the directions and the printouts.

• "Canvas" options – Print the drawings on any paper that will fit your printer.
  
  Tips: Construction paper (cut to size) works great with pastels and charcoals. Print the drawing right onto a piece of watercolor paper and when the paint is applied, you will have a very professional-looking piece of artwork.
• For mediums – Use felt-tipped markers, watercolors, pastels, charcoals, crayons, colored pens, and colored pencils.
• Draw it yourself – Use the drawings as "models" and try to copy by freehand.
• Frame it – With interesting subjects and adult themes, the finished pictures can be framed and proudly hung on the wall.
• Other uses
1. Cut the colored pictures into pieces to make mini puzzles.
2. Save the drawings over several months and put together your own coloring book.
• Stained Glass Technique – Lisa Krall reports that her artists love this technique. First, using a cotton ball, cover an entire black-and-white drawing with salad oil. After blotting up the excess oil with a paper towel, color the picture with colored chalk. When the picture is hung in the light, it looks like stained glass. Or, Lynne Beal suggests first coloring the picture with colored pencils; then apply the oil. Thich also produces a stained glass look. Let us know which technique your artists choose to use and how the art turns out.

Art submissions from artists in your communities

The process of creating art is an enjoyable and relaxing activity, an opportunity to truly live in the moment. The purpose of this "Art Gallery" page is to give people at senior living communities and adult day centers the opportunity to display their artwork to family and friends, as well as the general public. Please take a few minutes to browse our virtual gallery.

Do you have a special artist in your community? We would love to exhibit their work here on ActivityConnection.com.

Just take a picture of or scan in the person's painting, drawing, or other project and attach it to an email. Send the email to:

hello@activityconnection.com

If you would like, please include a few sentences about the artist and even a photo.

Viewing the Gallery

You don't need to be an Activity Connection subscriber to view the gallery, so feel free to share the link with family members and friends.

This Month's Submission

Assiniboia Union Hospital Integrated Facility,
Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, Canada
Art submitted by by Tara Pedersen, Recreation Coordinator

This is a 22 bed LTC facility is located in Southcentral Saskatchewan, which accommodates Level 3-4 needs. While dementia plays a big part in the resident population, they are still able to create beautiful art projects to display on the walls. An example of their lovely work is this painting done on a large canvas. A big thanks to Tara for sharing this project and kudos to the artists who created the artwork. It goes to prove that creativity endures despite declines in cognition.

Click on image for a larger view...