To do: Experiment using different types of brushes
Time: 30 minutes
Materials: Brushes like watercolor, foam, or fingers!
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It’s fun to explore the wide world of art, learning how to express ourselves in alternative ways.

For this activity, we have a ideas for experimenting with color and brushes.

It’s very easy to limit yourself, so get silly! Paint with a palette knife, or use finger paints! Did you know that there are tiny easels and canvases that you can get?

We invite you to visit a local art supplies store, and help your child pick out their supplies. Remember, more isn’t always better, so work within your budget and needs, or just visit to get inspired! Here are some questions to think about:

What do we want to paint on? Canvas, wood, cardboard?
What do we want to paint with? Oil, Acrylic or finger-paints?
What brushes should we use? Thick or thin? How about sponges or stamps?
How will we cleanup? Do we need to wear gloves to keep the paint off our hands?
What are we doing with the painting when we finish? Do we want to frame it?

Set up a space at home or outside to use your new arsenal of supplies, and get a handle on how to use all the items you’ve picked. At the end of the painting session, rinse out the brushes and put everything away.

Help your child understand the importance of keeping things nice so that you can work with them again. Once you’re done putting supplies away, hang up the art you’ve made together!

For the older child, inspire them with artists such as Henri Matisse or Aristarkh Lentulov. Introduce Fauvism, a painting movement all about using wild colors and exploring different brushstrokes.

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