Painting Tutorial with GUS

3/13/2017

Since the birth of my second little boy Finn in January of this year, I decided I needed some one on one time with my 2 year old son Gus. I also really longed for that quality time in my art studio. As most of you know, time is not something you have an abundance of with a newborn. With all that in mind, I started to paint with Gus in my studio every Sunday. To my surprise he took to it (because believe me I've tried to make him paint with me in the past). I loved all the fun quality time we had together on these projects. I posted a few photographs us painting on social media, and now wherever I go parents and friends approach me. They tell me how much they love seeing Gus paint with me and how they want to do the same with their children. So for my fellow parents here is a post with tips and tricks. These will get your toddler to really enjoy and take to a painting project, while having fun and making a memorable quality painting as an end result.

TIP number one:
Tape your paper to a flat surface. This is important (it is called stretching paper): by taping the paper down and letting your painting fully dry after you have your fun, it will ensure that the paper will come out ripple free! The paper expands when wet, and after a few hours will shrink back down flat when dry.

What you will need for your underpainting first (WET) layer:

Crayola Washable paint is awesome and it comes in these great neons as well! It also comes off everything easily! (I found some at Staples)
Painters tape
Roller (Gus' favorite tool)
Paint brushes
Watercolour or heavy weight paper

By all means this can be your first and only layer

Optional Supplies: Get creative!

Take look around your house for absolutely anything they can scrape, dab, dip, mark-make, or paint with!

Cookie cutters
Cooking utensils
Toy cars
Stamps
Markers
Sponges
Stickers
Collage (APPLY TO FIRST WET LAYER): You can even go as far as collaging pictures etc to your paintings, use white glue to adhere and it will dry clear and flat.
Workable fixative (optional) not required, however, if you are looking to treasure or frame this artwork it will keep on any media permanently fixed to your page, spray once it's all dry and finished (spray outside away from others or in a well ventilated area). You can purchase at any art supply store.

Second layer dry mediums: Once your first has had a few hours to dry.
Drawing media - crayons, pencils, pencil crayons, chalk, and washable markers

These are great for arts and crafts or outside totally resistant to pretty much anything. I prefer to just go with stripping Gus down to his diaper because everything I am using is non-toxic.

Now throw on some fun tunes, get messy, and channel you and your child's inner artist!
If you have any questions please contact me I will be happy to help!

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