Recycle, Reuse and Paint! Abstract Art with Temperas

Painting doesn’t always require your child to use a brush, sponge or similar tool. The other day I was getting ready to toss a strawberry container – one of those clear plastic kids with the lid on it and the holes in the top and bottom for the berries to “breathe”. I stopped and thought, “What kind of project could this become?” My 12-year-old just shook his head, rolled his eyes and said, “Mom, why are you always making those crafty things?” Well, because they’re fun! And this one was a messy masterpiece in the making.

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Add some paints, paper and even tissue to the reused plastic container and what do you get? Jackson Pollock style paint splatters, patterned prints and marbled looking artworks.

Here’s What You’ll Need:

·         A clear plastic strawberry (or other fruit) container

·         Clear packing tape

·         Tempera paints

·         Thin paper

·         Tissue paper

·         Card stock paper

Here’s What to Do:

1.      Prepare your work area – and your child – for the mess. I used a thick sheet of foam core board, but am opened garbage bag, cardboard, vinyl table cloth or other barrier will work to prep for this project.

2.      Squeeze a few different colors of paint into the bottom the plastic container. You don’t have to cover it completely or actually fill the container up. Just add a few quarter-sized dollops. Keep the container over a covered surface. The paint will start to leak out as soon as you put it in.

3.      Shake it! Have your child shift and shake the container over a piece of white card stock. If she wants to create a larger paint splatter use poster board or rolled butcher paper.

 

4.      Press the container onto a piece of card stock paper. The paint that is left over will squeeze out of the holes, creating a print.

5.      Tape the holes in the container. When your child is ready for a new way to play with paint, completely cover all of the holes. Some paint may still leak out, so keep it over your covered work surface. Add more paint—in at least three different colors.

6.      Open the container and put a folded piece of paper or tissue paper inside.

7.      Close it up and let your child shake the artsy contraption.  The paint will mix and blend as it coats the paper.

 

 

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