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The thought of holding a paintbrush to create art can make some people quiver with fear and send them running away screaming.
Sounds dramatic, I know. But I’ve actually seen this. Especially with adults and teens who don’t believe they are artistic or creative in any way. We all know that’s not true!
For some, the paintbrush is a wand of colourful magic. For others, it’s an intimidating weapon just waiting to defeat them.
The fear is caused because the onus to create lines and shapes is totally on the person manipulating the paintbrush.
Much of this fear can be taken away by removing the brush and focusing on stamping and printing techniques.
While the fearful artist still has to manipulate tools to create a picture, some of the work (and therefore, some of the fear of making mistakes) is taken away. Once they have played around with these various techniques and experimented with colours and patterns, they gain confidence and the dreaded brush can be reintroduced.
In fact, it is easy to make beautiful art without a paintbrush.
These techniques are ideal for young children who don’t yet have the dexterity to create the pictures they want. They help with fine motor skills, but also promote experimentation and confidence.
WAYS TO MAKE BEAUTIFUL ART WITHOUT A PAINTBRUSH – STAMPING
There are countless ways to make beautiful art without a paintbrush when you enter the wonderful world of stamping.
This does not require you do invest in expensive stamp sets. So many regular items around the home can be transformed into stamps.
WAYS TO MAKE BEAUTIFUL ART WITHOUT A PAINTBRUSH – THE CARDBOARD ROLL
- Want to paint a perfect circle? Dip a humble cardboard roll into some paint and you are good to go.
2. You can pinch the roll to make pretty little heart shapes.
3. Place some together and you can create cute bunny heads (perfect for Easter art).
4. Cut strips from one end, splay them, and you have instant fireworks.
WAYS TO MAKE BEAUTIFUL ART WITHOUT A PAINTBRUSH – CORKS
- Corks make wonderful stamps. On their own, they can become beautiful ladybugs.
6. Put a few together to make flowers or shamrocks.
7. Draw a shape on the end and cut away from it to make any kind of stamp you want.
8. Or add a foam sticker to make it extra easy.
WAYS TO MAKE BEAUTIFUL ART WITHOUT A PAINTBRUSH – FRUIT AND VEGGIE STAMPING
- Many will remember the childhood fun of potato stamping. You just use a cookie cutter to define a shape on the cut potato, carefully cut around the shape and you have an instant stamp. But why stop there?
- Look at the fantastic shapes cut oranges can make.
11. How about a capsicum shamrock?
12. Or these pretty flowers made from a bunch of celery?
WAYS TO MAKE BEAUTIFUL ART WITHOUT A PAINTBRUSH – WOOL AND WOOD
- You can make wonderful stamps just by winding wool around a block of wood.
WAYS TO MAKE BEAUTIFUL ART WITHOUT A PAINTBRUSH – LEAVES AND PODS
- Look at the beautiful art you can make using leaves.
WAYS TO MAKE BEAUTIFUL ART WITHOUT A PAINTBRUSH – PAPER DOILIES
- Strategically placed paper doilies make wonderful patterns.
WAYS TO MAKE BEAUTIFUL ART WITHOUT A PAINTBRUSH – UTENSILS
- You can make fabulous flowers with a plastic fork.
WAYS TO MAKE BEAUTIFUL ART WITHOUT A PAINTBRUSH – COTTON BUDS
- Cotton buds make delightful dots.
- Put some together for pretty patterns.
WAYS TO MAKE BEAUTIFUL ART WITHOUT A PAINTBRUSH – OTHER RANDOM THINGS
- Screws
20. Recycled containers
21. Potato masher and car
22. Dish brush wreath
23. Cardboard bottle brush
24. Pom pom wattle.
WAYS TO MAKE BEAUTIFUL ART WITHOUT A PAINTBRUSH – USE YOUR BODY
It’s easy to make beautiful art without a paintbrush, or any tool except your own two hands.
- Fingerprint flower
26. Fingerprint reindeer
27. Handprint elephant
Check out these other fun things you can do with handprints.
And footprints.
WAYS TO MAKE BEAUTIFUL ART WITHOUT A PAINTBRUSH – PRINTING
Printing is another fun way to make beautiful art without a paintbrush.
WAYS TO MAKE BEAUTIFUL ART WITHOUT A PAINTBRUSH – ROLLER PRINTING
- Try taping corrugated cardboard to a roller.
29. Or bubble wrap.
30. You can also tape bubble wrap to the end of a cardboard roll for a different effect.
WAYS TO MAKE BEAUTIFUL ART WITHOUT A PAINTBRUSH – PRINTING WHEEL
- Stick foam shapes to a cardboard roll (even the roll from wide tape will work), to make a simple print wheel.
WAYS TO MAKE BEAUTIFUL ART WITHOUT A PAINTBRUSH – PRINTING PLATE
- Draw simple shapes on cardboard, cover with glue and then string to create your own printing plate.
- Or carve your own from foam packaging or a recycled meat or veggie tray.
Do you have more fun ideas for printing and stamping? I’d love to hear about them in the comments.
Happy crafting and have a gleeful week, Tamuria.