Exploring Paint and Textures Process Art Activity

The other day I saw a video of a man using colored plaster and a spatula to create a magnificent piece of art. I thought that would be fun to try with the kids so I decided to give it a try and see what we could create.

The whole experience turned into a wonderful process art activity. Once again, I was reminded that what kids learn and experience matters more than a specific result.

Materials for Exploring Paint and Textures: a Process Art Activity:

Stiff paper, cardboard or canvas
Paint
Popsicle Sticks
Glue
Texture materials: We like to use what we have on hand; for this project, we used flour, bread crumbs, rock salt that was leftover from our Science Lessons from Making Freezer Bag Ice Cream activity, orzo, and rice leftover from our Footprints Gross Motor Activity.

Set out the materials in a large workspace. Pour the paint into cups or containers.
Have the kids add the texture materials to the paint and stir. We also added glue because I had visions of the texture materials not adhering with the paint and making a really huge mess when dried.
We started by having the kids use the popsicle sticks to paint with. (I still had dreams of that textured masterpiece the man had made.) Using popsicle sticks to paint with is a great fine motor activity. It works on the pincer grip and proprioceptive skills.
After painting that way for a while the kids became more and more intrigued by the paint textures. Soon they couldn’t resist touching and they quickly found that the textured paints were a magnificent sensory play experience. The kids smooshed it, rolled it into balls and used it as finger paints.

The end result of our Exploring Paint and Textures Process Art Activity was not some masterful painting. The end result was time spent exploring, touching, talking, creating what they wanted, and having fun. I don’t know if the paintings will be hung up on the wall but it doesn’t really matter. What matters is the process and the journey.