Oh, how I love an art project with unexpected results. We took your usual watercolor painting activity and added some straws to create this loopy, drippy beautiful mess. The fun was in trying to control the flow of paint with the droppers and straws, which was near impossible, but totally worth a try.
Materials
- Watercolor paper or card stock — we used 8.5 x 11 card stock from the office supply store
- Liquid watercolors
- Eye droppers
- Straws
- Tray to hold the paper. This keeps the paint from blowing all over the table
- Paper towels, sponge, or towels. Optional, but you won’t regret this insurance policy
Pull some watercolor paint into the dropper and then squeeze it on the paper.
Pick up a straw and start blowing. N tested a wide “milkshake” straw first, and this is what she thought about it…
Yeah, not so good.
She traded it in for a skinny straw and then turned into a straw-blowing paint machine. The skinny straw is the way to go (but I’d encourage you to try both and see what works for you, making it a true experiment!).
After about six straw paintings, my daughter got a brush and did some paint mixing experiments. Such a fun, easy, and not-too-messy way to spend an afternoon.
Have you tried straw painting?
Feel free to add a photo in the comments if you have! Or, give it a try and add your photo next time you stop by.
This post shared with It’s Playtime
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My kids love straw painting too. I think it’s because when they’re drinking with straws I’m always telling them not to blow in their drinks, but when they’re painting they can go for it! We used glittery paint on black paper to create some fireworks> http://nurturestore.co.uk/firework-craft
ooooh, Firework painting with glitter — that’s awesome, Cathy. Thanks for sharing the link.
i love that N used an analogous color palette for these paintings. keeps the results from getting muddy. N’s works of art are so lovely and what a fun process! we’ve only done the blown paint thing once two autumns ago to make trees — which is a timely application in the coming month’s too, so maybe we’ll do it again: http://paintcutpaste.com/windblown-tree/ — and i’ll try to add an image to my comment, too!
Thanks for adding the art vocabulary bit, Jen
I should have thought of that. I try to keep our palette tight when I can, but sometimes it’s impossible! I love the wind blown tree…perfect for fall and all the leaves that are currently shedding from our trees. Sniff sniff.
We had a lot of fun a few days ago, with watered squid ink and straws. It was first time Micaela blew through the straw for an art project! Next time I want to try with coloured watercolors. (http://andhisnamewasaikendrum.wordpress.com/2011/08/29/haunted-squids/)
Congratulatios for this inspiring blog and thanks for sharing!
This is brilliant! Painting with actual squid ink…oh my! I’m off to share this on Facebook
We have not done straw painting, because I don’t trust that Jaycee wouldn’t “drink” it! I bet you could do it with water and food coloring, too though. Hmmm. . .
Thanks for stopping by the Sit and Relax weekend hop!
Michelle
Heartfelt Balance Handmade Life
You absolutely could do this with water and food coloring, and that’s where I’d start if I thought my child might suck the paint right up (it happened when my daughter was almost 2 1/2…how old is Jaycee?). Glad to find you on the Sit and Relax hop!
I’m not familiar with liquid watercolor paint. How does it come? Is it a powder that you mix with water or does it come in a bottle? Maybe a dumb question! : /
she made some great art there! we enjoy straw painting too! FUN!
Would love to invite you over to my weekly child centered linky party – The Sunday Showcase to share your idea.
You can link up here – http://momto2poshlildivas.blogspot.com/search/label/Sunday%20Showcase
Bernadette
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