Finger Painting
Finger painting is a great way of introducing kids to art. At an early age kids like experience their world through touch and feel, so what better way for them to learn about how paint flows, colours interact and line and form. Indeed, great artists such as Titian would still use his fingers to manipulate the paint, finding it more responsive.
It's the casual way in which figure painting can be approached, with the lack of 'rules' kids can simply concentrate on expressing themselves creatively. What figure painting can do is demystify art, bringing down to to a level where it's just an extension of the subconscious, rather than high-end art.
Of course, you don't have to limit yourself to paint. When your kids have explored the experiences they can have with the colours, try using other objects. Introducing sand, shells, pieces of wood or rag with the paint, can open up a whole new world of possibilities with texture and shapes.
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Remember, pet portraits are for life, not just for Christmas!