Kids love drawing and painting even when the result isn’t a masterpiece. There are diverse techniques kids can employ to express themselves as they engage in this activity. This review is done to open your mind to techniques that can be tried by kids when drawing and painting.
Table of Contents
Mark-Making Technique
Mark making is a description of lines, patterns, textures, dots and even marks utilized in engaging in drawing activity and applied to any drawing materials. This technique aids the representation of kids’ ideas and thoughts. It is a great way to allow their creativity to escape, communicating their feelings through the stories told using their marks on the drawing sheet.
Little kids can make use of objects such as toothbrush, sticks, twig and others using their pencil to make their marks and as they grow older, the marks become more complex as they unleash their creativity.
Using Hands and Feet Technique
This technique can be engaged in by kids because of its simplicity. Kids are very active as they engage in the fun activity of drawing and coloring. They can use their hands and feet to create symbolic artwork. Different colors can be mixed together by a guardian or teacher in order not to make too much of a mess. Kids can dip their hand or foot into the mixture and make diverse imprints on the paper using their imagination and creativity.
Monotyping Technique
Monotyping, is a term that emerged in the late 19th century which is used for drawing in ink on a smooth surface to produce a reverse of the original drawing or painting. For instance, a drawing can be done on a glass surface that is smooth and a drawing paper over the painted glass to make an imprint. Other details can be added as the creativity runs. Adults can guide little kids using this technique while older kids can manage this activity efficiently.
Scratchboard Technique
Scratchboard technique is the use of an ink-covered board, the most popular is black. This method entails scratching an image or scratching away an image. A cardboard sheet is shaded, spotted using pasted oil of multiple colors. The artwork that is obtained from this technique shows white lines on a black surface.
Kids can color the scratchboard, black or white using tools such as paint brush, air brush, and even cotton balls to bring out a great piece.
Scratchboard itself comes either with a paper (cardboard) backing, or a hardboard support. While the cardboard does have its uses, as it can be easily cut into size, the hardboard is much superior, giving greater stability to the work, being able to be corrected more often. It is more durable and easier to scratch into for cleaner, crisper details and lines.
Drawing with watercolor
Watercolor painting for kids is a fun activity to be engaged in which developed thousands of years ago. With this technique, they have a great opportunity to explore various ways of mixing colors. They can create aesthetic and unique patterns they can be proud of and share with others. To many kids, these techniques are quite easy to use and love the outcomes.
Kids enjoy mixing the watercolors on the paper and combine them to create diverse colorful drawings and patterns. It affords them the opportunity to create realistic and abstract art or allow their imagination a free reign. They can engage in this activity with a dry brush, utilize wet on wet style or try other approaches.
Salt drawing Technique
This technique can be done by kids’ of all ages with the use of simple materials which are; salt, glue, black paper and watercolors. They can choose any design in their imagination and enjoy this artistic process. The cardboard paper works well and the black color gives a great contrast but doesn’t stop the use of other colors.
The design is drawn with the glue, outlined first in pencil/ freehanded or as the case may be. Kids can use other images or pictures to gain inspiration for their artistic project. After the glue dries, the brush can be dipped into liquid watercolors and spread a little bit at a time to avoid getting the paper wet. The salt is spread on the design while it is still drying to saturate with the watercolor. After the image dries off, it creates a wonderful effect like magic.
Frottage
Frottage is a popular French term meaning, ‘to make an impression by rubbing’. This is a technique that is engaged in and loved by many kids. This is a tool that can be used to express ideas and to add effects. It can simply be carried out by placing a textured object under a sheet which is then covered with a paste paint, crayon or pencil shading to form a collage
Kids can make use of newsprint paper, compressed charcoal, or any form of surface that has an interesting texture.
Blobs of Paints for Artwork
This technique is an easy one that can be done in two ways by kids. In the first technique, kids can put some paints or water colors on the drawing paper and turn the paper from one side to another gently to form an image. This can become an aesthetic image if done properly.
In the second technique, kids can use a brush dipped in the colors to make a blob on the drawing paper. Afterwards, the paper can be folded to enable it to make an imprint on both sides. The paper can be unfolded and kids can discuss the image represented on the paper.
Fingerprints Technique
This activity stimulates kids’ sensory memory and acts as a learning aid. Kids can create awesome images with just their fingerprints or thumbprints and a bit of paint or watercolors. This activity is suitable for younger and older kids; the most essential thing that is needed is creativity.
Leaves Stamps
This technique involves the use of some leaves, paint/colors and imprints on paper. The materials needed are fallen leaves either fresh or dry but not crunchy, cards, papers and other useful drawing materials.
Image: Leaf Clipart
This technique is quite easy for kids. With the use of a marker, the back of the leaf can be colored as desired. In the back of the leaves lies veins that will bring out the most detail in the stamped leaf art. The leaves must be colored including the edge and turned over into the drawing paper or other materials that need to be stamped. The material or paper is gently and firmly pressed with the finger over the leaf to achieve the desired result. The leaf should still be wet from the coloring before it is used to stamp.