Mother's Day: Make Mini Art 1

I've got three quick and nifty ways to art it up tiny style. These little works of art will fit nicely in Mama or Grandma's wallet and would even look just dandy displayed on the fridge or pinboard. Add a tiny frame and well then you'll have a masterpiece! Here's project number one for you.

You Will Need:

*water colors

*small paint brush (bristles)

*painters or quilters tape

*an ATC watercolor pad or one sheet watercolor paper

*paint friendly work area

*scissors (optional)

scrumdilly-do it!

Tape your tiny ATC paper down to a sheet of newspaper or plastic placemat using painters or quilters tape. It's really important you use one of these kinds of tape otherwise your child's tiny little masterpiece will most likely get a wee bit shredded. These two kinds of tape lift up quite nicely (they might however really stick to the newspaper). Taping the paper down will both anchor it in place and create a pretty matte once it is finished. An ATC is also called an Artist Trading Card and blanks can be found at your local art store or on etsy. If you do not have access to this tiny paper you can cut it up yourself. An ATC generally measures 2 ½ X 3 ½ inches or 64 X 89 mm.  Make sure you use a sturdy watercolor paper. It amps up the quality of your wee artist's work and keeps it nice and sturdy for wallet traveling.

Once you have your paper taped down, cut or tear the tape into thinner and smaller bits and have your kiddo arrange them on their paper as they will. Encourage them to think of creating boxes and closed portions. These will be much easier to paint and look more organized once dry and the tape is removed.

Dampen brush and have your kiddo begin painting in each tiny box they created using their colors as they will. Have them begin with the lightest color first and end with the darkest, all the while rinsing their brush as they go. Limit their color palette to 2-4 colors and keep them in the same family so that if if and when they mix they will make a pretty color and not brown, unless brown is Mama's favorite.

If you cut the tape, the painted boxes will have clean, sharp edges. If you tear, the torn edges will absorb and carry the paint to other boxes. both have their advantages and look pretty spiffy. This won't take long at all but you may wish to have your kiddo reapply the paint once the first layer has dried as the watercolor will appear vibrant at first but fade as it dries.

Once completely finished, carefully remove tape beginning with the last piece that was placed on top of the paper. Ta-da!  Have your kiddo sign the back and date it. Lookie there...pretty, tiny, art!