Painting with a squeegee is a great process art activity for toddlers and preschoolers. As a bonus, learn about Gerhard Richter, the artist, as well!
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*Thank you to Housing a Forest for the inspiration for swipe art. They used credit cards, which is such a fun and simple option.
**Thank you to Happy Messy Project for the inspiration for swipe art as well. They used cardboard pieces, which is also a fun and simple option.
How to: The Artwork
Supplies:
- Canvas boards
- Paint scraper, cardboard piece, mini squeegee
- Washable tempera paint (we used green, yellow, and white)
Directions:
Okay, so this is a super easy project. First, squirt some green, yellow, and white paint anywhere the canvas boards.
Then, show the kids how to slide the paint scraper/cardboard/squeegee to spread the paint around. Point out how the colors mix and how the scraper makes different patterns when you move it.
*The more the kids move the paint around, the less of a pattern it’ll show. But, let them enjoy the process of using a cool paintbrush, feeling the wetness of the paint, and watching the colors mix.*
How To: The Program
My Young Artists class allows 2-5 year olds to explore art and engage the senses to help them understand the world around them. Exploring famous artists and their work allows kids to see that they are capable of making beautiful, creative artwork. Plus, exploring famous artists provides a unique way to teach children about basic art techniques.
Group Activity:
For our group project, I wanted the kids to practice their scraper technique. So, I cut open a few cardboard boxes and laid them down on the floor. I squirted paint on the cardboard and let the kids use mini cardboard pieces to spread the paint around. So fun!
Group Story:
We didn’t read a book this time. Instead, on our overhead projector, I showed a photo of a window squeegee. I explained what it was and that it is used to clean windows. Then, I showed a photo of Gerhard Richter painting using a squeegee. They loved the colors of the painting and how big it was compared to Richter. I showed them a couple of Richter’s art pieces and a little boy asked, “What is an artist.” I told him that an artist is a person who makes art, and that he is an artist, just like Gerhard Richter! He was pretty excited about that 🙂
Then it was time for my little artists to get to work! I told them that their paint scrapers worked just like their cardboard pieces and would spread the paint around on their canvas boards. The green, yellow, and white paint was already on their boards, so they got started! This project went way quicker than most of the projects we’ve done in the past. So, in the future, I’ll probably give the kids more than one canvas board to do and let them make more using different colors.
Just like that, we were done! Yay! So fun!
What unique paint brushes do you use with your little ones? Comment below!