Magic Marker Monday — Handprint Trees and Fingerprint Leaves

"It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child."

~Pablo Picasso

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Last week, to celebrate the first day of Autumn, we had some finger painting fun! We found some instructions for a really fun craft posted by Amanda over at Kaboose and set up our dining room table for a finger paint extravaganza.

Jacqui's a bit of a free spirit (ie: she would prefer to never have to bother with following instructions) so with most of our structured art projects, I let her do two versions: One following the directions and then one completely composed of her own whimsy. She had an absolute ball with this project and here are the resulting works of art…

The "Jacqui Following Directions" Version

The "Jacqui Freestyle" Version

I want Jacqui to understand and learn the importance of following directions and some of the discipline that is required in art without squelching her creativity. So far, this approach has worked well for her. She is much more enthusiastic about learning concepts and following instructions when she knows that she will also have an opportunity to "do things her way". Plus, I don't believe in cookie cutter art — for kids or anyone else. I love what happens when you hand a child a set of finger paints with the instructions "OK — Go for it!"

Oh, and this is Kyle's little tree. He's 2 1/2 and was mostly just freaked out by all the brown paint on his arm to make the tree trunk. He's our little neatnick. I thought that maybe once we got all the brown paint off, I could entice him to make some fingerprint leaves, but he just wasn't having it. He just sat there and howled "Oh NOOOOOOOOO! Ky durrrrrrrdy! Uh durdy hans! Uh hehhhhhhp us! Kleeeeen it! Kleeeeeeen it! Uh hehhhhhhp us!!!"

Jacqui thought this was hilarious and then tried to force Kyle to finger paint. It went downhill from there. I think I have all of the finger paint off of the carpet and the walls now…

What about you? What has your little artist been up to lately?

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