In the art classroom, sixth graders leaned over their desks, markers clutched in determined hands, transforming plain cardstock into holiday greetings. The space buzzed with creative energy as vibrant colours—crimson, emerald, gold—flowed across paper in confident strokes. At one table, a student carefully layered shades to create a glowing candle effect, while another experimented with stippling techniques for frosted windowpanes. Marker caps snapped open and closed in staccato rhythm, a chorus of artistic possibility.
The young artists navigated common challenges: learning to blend reds and yellows into seamless oranges for fireplace warmth, discovering how pressure varied line thickness, turning accidental smudges into intentional shadows beneath holly leaves. Some pursued traditional imagery—wreaths, ornate trees, delicate snowflakes—while others explored abstract patterns with unconventional palettes of purple and teal, letting the markers' intensity guide their designs.
The teacher circulated quietly, offering guidance on colour theory and composition. Each card emerged as a unique reflection of its creator's vision, marked by the distinctive qualities of marker work: bold outlines, saturated hues, and that glossy sheen where ink pooled slightly on the paper's surface. As the bell approached, drying cards covered every available flat space, testament to an afternoon of focused, festive creation.