Whimsical Painting Fun

Whimsical painting

This week I have compiled three painting techniques that you can use in your next art project. I have tried to focus on whimsical abstract effects because they are lovely and can be achieved by almost any age. These types of painted surfaces can be used to make sculpture, landscapes, mobiles, jewellery, greeting cards or collage… anything really. Sometimes it is good to just have a stockpile of materials like this ready to go for when you want to get making.

These three techniques use different kinds of paints, but all will need cardboard, not paper. 

Watercolour mist:

For this you will need cardboard that has been wet thoroughly with a sponge or big brush. The card needs to have puddles of water on it. Activate your watercolours with water then drip, sponge, or wipe the colours onto the damp paper. You should find the watercolours bleed out onto the card and produce a gentle coloured cloud effect. Try splattering the watercolours on for a different approach.

Scraped scribbles:

This technique uses acrylic paints daubed and scraped onto card. For the scraping you will need a piece of plastic with a straight hard edge and very rigid. A piece of Perspex or an old photocopy/ gym card works very well, but have a look around the home, I am sure you will find something. Drag the edge of your plastic across the paper scraping the daubs of paint across the page. I lay a scrap piece of paper at the end so the extra paint has somewhere to go when scraped off the page. Try not to overwork the scraping, you get an excellent effect if you just go over once, but if you keep scraping the colours layer up in a dull way.

Beautiful brushes:

I gathered up about 6 different brushes for this technique, plus some washed (acrylic paint with water added to the consistency of soup). Tightly rubber band your brushes together so that the bristles all line up against the page. Now dip your bundle of brushes into the wash and paint on your paper. I focussed on gentle curvy lines, and layered them up on top of one another with different colours. In the picture I have demonstrated the difference between working this technique into a dry (right) and a wet (left) card surface. 

Have fun exploring these techniques, and maybe you might have a few other ideas too – just go wild!! Playing with paint, mixing colours, making a bit of a mess is a great way to get those growing little minds stimulated.

Once all of your pieces of paper are dry be sure to look at ways of incorporating them into your future projects. Perhaps try one of these fun projects this break……

Space Junk Mobiles

Textured Reptiles

Reef Collage Designs

We would love to see your projects – email us or share with us on the socials!

Happy creating!

Tracy x