A little workshop

I'm starting my Wednesday art studio for kids very informally for now with two parents so I'm really excited. The parents in question are both degreed artists (not that it's a requirement at all but you know, arty people=always thinking about art) so it should be really interesting and fun. We'll be taking turns for the ideas and also for hosting. I have a few others in mind that I'd like to ask to join but I think I'll give it time and iron out the little wrinkles before expanding it.

Right now there's a lot of drama in the school and the village because of an issue and the school is divided down the middle parentwise. It's awful and I feel stranded because I like both parents involved and blah, blah, blah but the point is that it's messed up the atelier and one of the people I'd hoped to invite. I don't want a war in the middle of my house, especially with paint involved !! (although maybe it would be an improvement in our case). I also don't want the atelier to turn into gossip hour which is why I'm just doing something small and targeting people interested in art and not just ones looking for something to do on Wednesdays with the kiddies. I think it risks going downhill fast if people aren't that into it and are just showing up for coffee and a chat. Anyway, hopefully this drama thing will all blow over in time and things can get back to normal.

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The atelier that we did at the museum the other day was a fun little exercise so I thought I'd share it since I have pictures. It's suitable for all ages, large groups or small and even as a solo project. It has a lot of action so it keeps small kids interested. I hope I'm not spoiling things for anyone in Paris who might have kids doing this outing but there are so many outings in Paris that I doubt it.

Supplies: you'll need: acrylic paints in primary colors, fairly heavy bond paper in a large size, paint brush for each kid, kitchen sponge cut up in four squares, some straws cut in half, black ink, crayons and maybe some oil pastels.

Preparation: Protect everything! Place them at a large table with old clothes and a heavy smock. Do this one outside if you can because it's a messy one! Put out two primary colors + white in three seperate jars--, white, yellow, and red for example. They'll make new colors later in the activity.

First activity is to get them to splash the paint a la Jackson Pollock. You can play a game that when you clap your hand or whistle they have to stop and put down the brush. Then you switch jars and they splash a new color. Do this until all three colors are used. (btw two kids can share one jar of paint)








Next get them to wet a sponge a little. Now they'll smear the paint (and see the transformation of the colors into another color...orange in this case) . They can play with the sponge stamping and goofing around (and little sponges make great artist tools so stash them for another project!).


For the next step distribute straws. You'll then go around and drop ink in the center of their drawings. They can either blow the ink with their straws or else move the ink by lifting the paper and making it move. Encourage them to search for images in the ink spots.





Finally give them a box of crayons or oil pastels to personalize their drawing a little more.

It's fun with lots of color and technique skills and good for getting tactile with art. Just make sure you protect your floors and the table well enough.