Summer seems the perfect time to try out some projects that just can't be squeezed in during the regular school year. I have a whole file of projects that I am hoping to get to with my family this summer.
Saturday afternoon was really hot and nobody felt like doing much. I suggested we do a little project with watercolors. The project is loosely based on this activity:
Non-Objective Cut Up Painting Collage
First you paint your whole page with no recognizable subjects. Just let your brushes play with the colors, blending some colors and using a variety of brush strokes.
Make sure to completely fill your page. It is amazing to me that with the same directions you can get vastly different products.
The colors and forms take on such different personalities.
It was hot and we were painting outside so it did not take long for the paints to dry. I added some Sharpie lines to my shapes just to give them a little definition.
The second step is to turn your paper over and measure off one inch squares. We used a ruler and pencil.
Now it is time to cut your squares.
Here is where the projects took completely different roads.
Some decided to put their squares right up next to each other and completely fill the paper. The squares are added randomly and you do not aim to put them back together like a big puzzle. Rather, the idea is to find a pleasing personal design using the random colors, shapes, and lines.
I decided to make mine more of a stained glass sort of look by leaving space around the squares so the paper would show through.
I think the results of this simple art project are stunning and you could really adapt it to your own family. The author of the original activity noted above says that any kind of paint can be used for this project. She suggests that you could tie the activity into a study of abstract art, suggesting Kandinsky. You also could spread this project out over several days if you want to. It is also suggested that you could use a paper cutter to make the squares.
I would love to see your results if you complete this project.
I framed one of the collages and it is now going to hang in our living room.
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
15 comments:
Wow - I love this project. I'm going to add this project as the first one we tackle in the new school year. I think all three of my children would enjoy this project and I can just imagine the great results.
Did you use a paper cutter as suggested? Did you use watercolor paper?
Thanks for sharing!
Samantha
Neat! What a fun and creative activity for all ages! Those would make great framed pictures to put in our playroom that, to date, have blank walls. Thanks!!!
Samantha,
We were passing a lazy Saturday afternoon so we did not use a paper cutter but if I was doing this with my kids during the school year, I would be tempted to let them use the paper cutter. :)
We did use 120 lb. watercolor paper.
Barb
I am not sure I could have cut up such a beautiful painting, even if it does make a cool modern art finished product.
Oh how cool!!! I love it! Did you hear the impressionist story on NPR Morning Edition today? It should be on their web site. I will be posting graffiti projects today or tomorrow--thanks again for that!
Truly gorgeous!! Love it and so simple and beautiful at the same time! Thanks for the inspiration :)
I love this activity! It is unpredicatable and therefore there is no "right" or "wrong" outcome. We will give it a try!
This really turned out lovely. I think we will give this a try.
I love it when you post these projects! Thanks, Barb!
I love this project idea too! I always enjoy new project/art ideas for the kids. We will definitely try this one when school starts.
Beautiful! I think we will want to try this. Thank you.
This looks so impressive! I love activities like this that are simple to do yet have amazing results - just perfect for doing with the kids.
Very beautiful, i love the idea... i'll do it in Brazil with my students, when spring comes in september. Thanks for sharing your beautiful work!
Aline, from Brazil
This looks like a great project. We were just using water colors a couple of days ago. We will try this one soon.
Blessings
Diane
What an awesome project. I am a major DIY'er & have been looking for art ideas to fill the walls of my home. This will be a great personalized project perfect for hanging!
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