Idea for an Artist Date With Kids

A Fall Scavenger Hunt for Art Lovers

© Jennifer Hollowell

Oct 26, 2007

Most artist dates should occur alone, but this is one adventure that would be worth bringing your children. Consider taking two adventures if you still crave solitude.

This artist date idea focuses in autumn themes and will discuss what to hunt for and ideas for material implementation. Let's get started!

Materials needed for this artist date:

  • tote bag or backpack
  • five or six baggies
  • two or three small plastic storage containers
  • small drawing pad
  • small flower press or hardcover book
  • disposable camera
  • art journal
  • colored pencils, charcoals or drawing pencils
  • pencil sharpener, eraser
  • bottled water
  • snacks (optional)Be sure to gather all of your supplies in advance so time can be spent on the date, rather than doing preparation. Mark the date on a calendar in a prominent location of the home. Reminder: be sure to tell everyone who typically pulls you in many different directions of your plans so your time is respected.This artist date is a scavenger hunt for pinecones, acorns, pieces of bark, interesting rocks, leaves, flowers and other natural elements that will be collected in the baggies and small plastic storage containers. Use the flower press or hardcover book to collect flowers and leaves. Use the disposable camera to photograph trees and other elements of nature surrounding you. Use the small drawing pad to do bark and other-texture rubbings. In the art journal, sketch your surroundings so you have both a photo and an artistic rendering of what you see.Take the disposable camera to a one-hour photo shop for developing. While there, enjoy a snack (one brought or one bought) and a nice beverage. Take this time to reflect a bit more in the art journal, adding more details and notes.Once all the items have been collected, it's time to put them to use! When you've arrived back to your workspace or studio, take out the following materials, in addition to the collected items and photographs:
  • canvas (size of choice)
  • acrylic paints (fall themed colors)
  • decoupage or gel medium
  • brushes
  • small containers of water
  • fall themed embellishments (scrapbook materials work well)Using a larger canvas will yield the best results, but this is optional. Using the acrylic paint, create a background or swirling and blotted color. Avoid creating a particular pattern. While the paint is drying, crop and cut photographs so specific focus is placed on areas of interest.Tear out the sketch made while on the date. Either copy it in painting form on to the canvas or affix it directly on the paint. Using the collected items, photographs, and embellishments, cover over the entire piece. This can be achieved in border or collage style depending on artist's preferences. Seal the entire piece with decoupage or gel medium.

    • The copyright of the article Idea for an Artist Date With Kids in Assemblage Art is owned by Jennifer Hollowell. Permission to republish Idea for an Artist Date With Kids must be granted by the author in writing.




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