Toddlers and preschoolers can explore mixed media art, just like Picasso did, with paint, glue, and pictures. Simple and fun!
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*Thanks to MollyMoo Crafts for the mixed media art project idea. We modified it to add the Pablo Picasso element.
This mixed media art project is inspired by all of the important artists who experimented with mixed media art and collages. Our particular piece is inspired by Pablo Picasso because a lot of people consider him the father of collage.
His piece, Bottle of Vieux Marc, Glass, Guitar and Newspaper, was the piece we talked about together, looking at the colors, shapes, images, and materials.
To introduce the concept of mixed media art, I set out on a search to find some picture books made with mixed media. I came across Lizze and Lou Seal by Patricia A. Keeler, and I immediately put it on hold at the library. It was fun to show the kids the different layers and media used in the illustrations.
Now, for the mixed media art collage inspired by Picasso:
What you need:
- Watercolor paper
- Liquid watercolors
- Paintbrushes
- Glue
- Cut-out images from books and magazines
What to do:
- First, encourage the child to pain the large sheet of watercolor paper however he/she would like. Have fun with it! Liquid watercolors have such a better color and texture than regular watercolor palettes, so it won’t be too difficult for the child to fill the whole paper.
- Then, let the paper dry. This will only take about 15 or so minutes, depending on how much pooling happened when painting.
- After the paper is dry, provide the child can use cut out images and glue the images on wherever they’d like!
- Go ahead and display the finished product!
After we finished our projects, we talked about the different types of media we used and which one is our favorite.
Looking for more activities to do with your little one? Check out these:
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