Easel Painting?

Question

I find that there are so many benefits to painting and usually it's easy to come up with variations. :-) However, I'm having a mind block, so I'll pick your brain.

What types of variations have you used at the easel?

Has anyone followed a "program" from beginning of school year to end of school year...for easel painting?

Answer 1

I like to have the kids draw free style for each season and special occasions.  For example; The first week I have the children paint something that has to do with helping out or what being a good student might be.  I have them paint fall, winter, spring, and summer pictures throughout the year.  During fire safety week they paint themselves doing something pertaining to fire safety.  I hope that helps!

Answer 2

1. Use something besides easel paper. Corrugated cardboard, newspaper, wallpaper samples and paper bags all work. If the surface is slick add a few drops of liquid soap to the paint.

2. Cut holes in the easel paper, then alternate cut and whole paper so it acts like a stencil.

3. Put lightweight collage items such as feathers and scraps of tissue paper near the easel so that the kids can stick them in the wet paint.

4. Use things besides brushes to paint with. Kitchen tools, pine cones and feathers, bottle, hair and toothbrushes, and fingers all work well.

5.Sometimes use liquid watercolors instead of tempera paint. The colors are more translucent.

   The best easel experiences let the child decide what to paint. It works best as an unstructured activity, not one where you dictate what to paint. Remember- PROCESS NOT PRODUCT.

Answer 3

I LOVE easel painting try:

- using different brushes, q-tips, cut-up dish sponges,  toothbrushes, etc.- add stuff to the paint for different effects:  glitter, sand, coffee grounds- no tools, just finger paint on easel