inspiration needed please

[veve]

Hi all

Recently I visited a friend who had done a fantastic art work for her own loungeroom. She had simply rolled four basic sized pieces of canvas with black, and then spiralled white paint onto them ..before separating them by about an inch to hang on the wall.

so .. I'm inspired to do something simple yet effective too - but I want the kids to help ..

We have just painted our bedroom (only took use five odd years) and I would love a canvas painted by the kids to hang in there... it could be one big canvas that they both do, or smaller ones that they can do each etc..

I would love some different ideas- do I use hands, feet or painting tools (sponges etc) do I use one or two colors, cool colours warm colours or a rainbow? Do I need special paints or will the basic paints do?

please give me some inspiration or ideas

thanks
Jen

[Lastcenturymum]

Depends on how permanent you want them..and the paint on the kids, the floor, the ground, the walls.. (it will eventually grow out of their hair though!)

We had friends who bought cheap canvases on a frame and got friends who came to stay to do a picture (they had lots of blank walls) We didn't get time to do one so can't help with the type of paint.

I'm a pastels and watercolour girl and currently into charcoal pencils..wouln't recommend them around kids!!

[Leeny]

I'd be more inclined to do a base colour, let it dry, and then let them paint with one 2 two complementing colours, drying in between, so it doesn't end up a mish mash of mixed messy paint.

Its not going to matter what colours you do with your room now.. You could do bright and colourful, or do some calmer more natural colours.. both will look good

I wouldn't be too fussy with paint.. As long as you prime the canvas first, and the paint is non toxic

[MrsMiggins]

How about 2 long, rectangular canvasses, to be hung side by side. Perhaps you could do 2 colour ways (say for instance, red & blue - obviously whatever suits your decor) and as Leeny said, paint a base colour & let it dry, before adding a contrast colour over the top.

Maybe get each of the boys to do one. You could have (using the example above) one with red base & blue top colour, then the other the opposite. Just get them to go nuts.

Another idea I just had (not sure how it would look in the end, but just really thinking on the go!) what if you took a photo of each of the boys, then somehow blew it up to a size that would fit well onto the canvas. Trace around the silhouette. Still have the contrasting colours & you could have a silhouette of each of the boys? I see it as a head & shoulders in a pose that would look good as a silhouette, placed skewed on the canvas.

[xkwzit]

Check out this 2yo "prodigy"
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news...004148022.html

Apparently, if you paint canvas in black or red first, it will make you kiddies' artwork standout and be very dramatic. Some dude has paid thousands for this kiddies work, I'm sure your boys could do as well with the right tools.

Cheers
(does this thread look like a mod convention? , come on in, the water's fine!)

[Veritas]

I would do the base colour yourself... something in a dark shade though, something that suits your decor....

Then pick two lighter and contrasting shades... again in the same tones you want for your room....

Take them out into the middle of the yard... with nothing around they could damage and teach them how to flick paint onto the canvas...... Always looks great!

[Mariposa]

I think the black background first then add golds and silvers.

[megaminz]

One of my friends has done a canvas for each person in the house, with their hand and footprints on...its very cool all the different sizes...

[safarifun]

Hi there,

I personally agree with having a dry background colour first

But then...

let your kids go for it!

Let them have the inspiration inside of them, be captured forever in their very own special mural that they can have when they leave home...

Kids are amazing artists, they come up with things we as adults, just don't think of.

I'd love to hear how it goes!

Good Luck!

[Nomsie]

Well, most of my ideas have been said already... although I wanted to mention that Acrylic paints would have a very dramatic effect- nice and bold colours that can also mix easily. Can be bought from almost anywhere- got a tube in Lincraft the other day for about $6.

I like the idea of using contrasting colours. If you're not sure of what they are, just google contrasting colours or colour wheel.

You could get the kids to use things like toothbrushes, sponges cut out in different shapes, their hands and feet etc

Sounds like fun to me!!