Children weave on paper plates that are joined together to make the scales of a fish.
Easy Types of Painting for Children of All Ages
Welcome back to Golden Road Arts in Hillsboro. Last time we were here, we talked about making collages in the classroom.
While painting can be a messy project for parents and teachers, kids of all ages love to paint. Whether you are creating art in the classroom or at home, there are many different styles of painting to choose from. Today we’re going to share some of the easiest ones for children to get started with.
10 Inspiring Types of Painting for Children
1. Finger Painting
Finger painting is a classic painting style for younger kids. Early on in their development, children can experience sensory play while learning to develop fundamental painting techniques by using their fingers.
2. Watercolors
Watercolor painting is a fun way for children to develop greater precision in their painting styles. By holding a pencil or brush, children improve their motor skills and can enjoy blending different colors to create their vision.
3. Tempera Painting
Tempera painting is a good choice for younger children, as it can be easily washed off surfaces. Young painters can experiment with vibrant colors and patterns, then wash off the design when they are finished.
4. Pre-Printed Canvas Painting
Pre-printed canvases feature many different designs that children can color. This is a good option for older children who may want to paint more complicated pieces, and would also like an outline to work with as they develop their skills.
5. Color Theory
Learning color theory is an important part of a child’s art education. There are many exercises to put color theory into practice through mixing paints and using the color wheel to help young artists understand color schemes.
6. Acrylic Painting
Acrylic paint is more suitable for older children looking for higher-quality results. Acrylics can be used on canvas and other items such as rocks.
7. Splatter Painting
Splatter painting is a fun (but messy) activity enjoyed by kids of all ages. Prepare some space outside and let the kids create colorful artworks.
8. Shaving Cream Painting
Shaving cream painting uses easily-found household items. Simply add some watercolors or food coloring to the shaving cream, then create patterns on a tray.
9. Scratch Art
Scratch art teaches children to use art materials in different ways. Instead of a brush, children can use a scraping tool, an old credit card, or another object to scratch designs into paint.
10. Flower Painting
Flower painting is a simple way to create art at home. The process starts by collecting flowers or leaves, applying paint to them, then pressing them into paper to create interesting patterns and shapes.
Art Project Ideas for Kids
Materials:
- Wax paper
- Tissue paper
- Glue diluted with water
- String
Instructions
- Paint the wax paper with the glue and water mixture.
- Lay pieces of tissue paper on the glue, in whatever pattern and color you wish.
- Lay the second piece of wax paper over the first and smooth.
- Attach string to hang your stained glass in a window and let the sunshine through!
2. Raceway Painting
Materials:
- Newspaper or tablecloth
- Tempera paint
- Paper
- Toy cars
Instructions
- Cover table with newspaper or plastic tablecloth.
- Have children place small amounts of tempera paint on their paper–in one or more colors.
- Using the car, have children “drive” the car all over the paper. (Small Die-cast cars and trucks – such as Hot Wheels).
- While running the tires through the paint, they’ll create “car tracks” and blend the paints together.
- Continue with the design until they feel they are finished….Dry. You’ll get some very interesting art…
- More fun! Fill buckets with soapy water– have “a car wash” when done painting!
3. Draw or Paint Half a Picture
Materials:
- Magazine
- Glue
- Paper
- Paint
- Crayons or colored pencils
Instructions
- Cut a big picture out of a magazine…a photo of an animal or a person or any colorful object works best.
- Then cut that photo right down the middle.
- Glue the half-photo onto a sheet of paper, then draw and paint the other half.
- This also makes for a fun art project to do with a friend.
- Each of you paints half of the same photo…you do the right side while your friend does the left.
- After your paintings are dry, remove the magazine photos and glue your two half-paintings together to make one, complete, teamwork painting! It’s a wild effect, especially with faces.
- Source: kidsart.com
10 Fun and Creative ways to Teach the Elements of Art to Kids
Teaching the elements of art to kids is an essential part of their education, as it helps them develop creativity, critical thinking skills, and self-expression. However, simply lecturing about the elements of art can be dry and unengaging for young learners. That’s why it’s crucial to incorporate fun and creative activities into the teaching process. In this blog post, we will explore 10 fun and creative ways to teach the elements of art to kids, from drawing exercises to sculpture projects and beyond. Whether you’re an art teacher, homeschooling parent, or simply looking for ways to enrich your child’s learning, these activities will engage and inspire young artists while teaching them the fundamentals of art.
Watch this Vlog Episode!
Teaching the elements of art through a theme can be a fun and engaging way to help students understand how these elements work together to create a cohesive artwork. Here are some tips on how to teach the elements of art through a theme:
- Choose a theme: Start by choosing a theme that can be explored through different art forms and techniques. For example, you could choose the theme of “nature” and explore how the elements of art are used in landscape paintings, sculptures of animals, or prints of flowers.
- Introduce the elements: Before diving into the theme, introduce the elements of art to your students. Use examples and demonstrations to show how each element can be used to create different effects in an artwork.
- Explore the theme through different media: Encourage your students to explore the theme through different art forms and techniques. For example, they could create a mixed media artwork that combines painting, drawing, and collage to explore the theme of nature.
- Use prompts and exercises: Give your students prompts and exercises that focus on specific elements of art. For example, you could ask them to create a series of sketches that explore the use of line in nature, or to create a monochromatic painting that explores the use of value in landscape.
- Encourage experimentation: Encourage your students to experiment with different materials, techniques, and styles. This will help them to develop their own unique artistic voice and explore the elements of art in a more personal and meaningful way.
- Provide feedback and critique: Provide feedback and critique to your students throughout the process. Encourage them to reflect on their work and how the elements of art are used to communicate their ideas and emotions.
By teaching the elements of art through a theme, you can help your students to develop a deeper understanding of how these elements work together to create a meaningful and cohesive artwork. Encouraging experimentation and providing feedback will help your students to develop their artistic skills and confidence, and to explore the theme in a personal and meaningful way.
If you are wanting to find art units that are fully planned that explore the Elements of Art through a Theme, then you can find my art units that are grade specific and exclusive to the Ms Artastic TPT store below!
Conclusion
Teaching the elements of art to elementary school children can be a fun and rewarding experience for educators. By using hands-on activities, incorporating technology, and encouraging experimentation, children can learn how to master the elements of art and create beautiful and meaningful artwork. By incorporating unique ideas such as collaborative art projects, nature art, and artist trading cards, educators can keep children engaged and excited about creating art. Remember to always make teaching the elements of art fun and inspiring for young artists!
Find FREE art lessons to help educators and homeschool parents plan the year efficiently with art resources that teach the curriculum and engage students with interesting content and art techniques. You can find all Ms Artastic FREE art lessons in one, easy to access spot and they’re all organized by seasons/times of the school year, and by holidays. Find the resources by clicking here.
