Hello!
I’m Spramani Elaun and I’ve painted with over 200,000 children over the past twenty years teaching children how to paint and draw.
I now travel Internationally teaching teachers, and schools how to bring art programming into their classrooms.
In this blog I’m sharing valuable kids painting teaching tips I’ve learned along my journey.
I know using these tips will help give you the confidence to venture into painting more with children.
If you want to learn more follow my links and read up!.
Are you interested in learning more about my painting secrets, then I invite you to purchase my paperback book “Kids Painting”.
Enjoy!
10 Tips – Teaching Kids Painting
1# Keep Painting Lessons Simple
Lessons should have two to three steps, anything more than that is above elementary grade level skill sets.
2# Process-Based Truly Supports Creative Flow
Figure out how to provide painting projects that are process based and open-ended.
This means children do not have to follow directions to get an expected result.
Process based give children freedom to explore the paint mediums, and design their own paintings as they desire, in their own unique way.
Want to learn more about what process based art means? Read this blog post: What Process Based Art Means, Click Here.
3# Always provide kids with quality paintbrushes!
Don’t’ give kids cheap paint brushes that can’t make smooth brushstrokes.
4# Never Walk Away from Paintbrushes!
First rule of thumb…Just like real painter always wash paintbrushes after each painting session.
Good paintbrush care means you’re a real painter.
5# Wear a Smock
Anytime kids are painting, always wear paint clothes, or a smock cover-up.
Even if the bottle says paint is washable, paint still soils clothing. Plus there’s no real guarantee pigment is not going to stain…trust me!
6# Designate a Painting Area
Decide before painting starts, where painting will be set-up, and the materials will stay.
Never let kids get lazy about this rule, remind them this is where painting is allowed.
7# Paint on Multiple Types of Surfaces
Don’t’ just think canvas.
Paint rocks, sticks, cardboard, olds wood crafts, wood, paper, fabric, leaves, branches, old CD’s, sea shells, and even cereal boxes.
Think outside the box…and on the box. Read this blog to get more Painting Kids Activity Tips.
8# Focus On Brushstrokes
Painting lessons can be just focused on brushstrokes, color mixing, and creating texture. Don’t get overwhelmed thinking you have to paint realistic imagery for each paint lesson. Kids should learn the basics for many years, and have time to explore and experiment with how paint works. Check out this blog post How to make brushstrokes, 7 tips.
9# Paint Your Pet
Your family pet can be a fun source for inspiration and ideas to paint. Try out different textures and artist techniques. Outline the shape of your pets body, then splatter paint in inside borders or outside, this is called action painting.
Skies the limit!
10# Scared of Messy Paint Splatters?
Here’s my number one tip!
Shrink down the paints and paintbrushes, you can control small messes better.
You can read all about these types of tips in all my books.
You can manage the mess by managing the materials!
If you would like to learn more about teaching kids, order my complete guide to teaching kids to paint, full color book – “Kids Painting”.
Cheers,
Spramani Elaun
Art Teacher Trainer
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