creating with a kid: pour paintings

As Lucy gets older, I have continued to come up with projects that she and I will both enjoy. working on together. Pour paintings are a favorite for both of us right now. The process is messy, colorful and totally expressive- which means it is fun for artists of any age!

This process makes use of acrylic paint that is more "fluid" in nature. Since I am working with a three year old, I used cheap acrylic craft paint but you could use any acrylic paint that has been watered down or even fluid acrylics (acrylic paint made for pouring, puddling and dripping). The goal is to use paint that will spread and move around on the surface.

I let Lucy select her favorite colors (pretty much everything) and then we got busy pouring that paint on the surface of a canvas.

We like to start by pouring one color and then adding another color to the top.

We will continue pouring and layering colors until the surface is almost full of paint.

Next, we shake and wobble the canvas letting the color drip, blend and move around the surface.

It's actually really fun and mesmerizing to watch the color move around the surface.

Once you are satisfied with results, let the paint dry. Depending on the type of paint you are using (and how much paint your kid pours out) the surface can take anywhere from 24-48 hours to dry.

Lucy loves this process because it is REALLY messy! I love the process because you are able to achieve a really beautiful result!

You can view my entire series on creating with a kid HERE