10 Ways to Make Art Easy

Sometimes we make art difficult. Yet, just 10 minutes with crayons can be beautiful! Dear friends.

You just need to say yes.

Just do it.

Nana says, “Think it, dream it, PAINT it!”

Take a deep breath and fold yourself into the possible messiness. With children there is bound to be a mess. But that mess is beautiful.

Here are 10 ways to make art easy in just 10 minutes a day!

Art Makes a Homeschool Day Better – encouraging tips for you – my post over at Homeschooling Today!

How to Do Art in 10 Minutes – Carve out 10 minutes immediately after lunch. Clear the lunch dishes and pull out the paints! Place the baby wipes nearby. Make a clear path to the kitchen sink and the trash can. Go!

Declare an Extras Day – So, every now and then I just declare a full day of extras. Truth be told these are the biggest memory making days of all. Sure there are messes but we’re already pulling out this and that for a history project, why not do an art lesson? Indeed why not.

How an Art Box Inspires Artists – It has all you need in one spot. The box makes it easy to pull out and DO art. Paper, paints, crayons, kits. And then pile it all back into the box. And store it close by.

Art and Children’s Books – A wonderful way to introduce and encourage children in a love of art is to do a project around a beloved book.

Use art as the lesson – make a salt dough map and paint it. Nature journal it!

Art is for Parents too – Pull out the art supplies yourself – you will be surprised at how many join you!

A Painting a Day – A painting a day is an absolutely fun habit happening at Hodgepodge that came about quite on its own. Well, with much encouragement from Lil’ Buddy. See, just about daily he asks to “paint with forever paints” (acrylics) or “do a chalk pastel.” Yes, chalk pastels count as “painting” as Nana has taught us.

How to Have Instant Art Success – I want to share a bit of my story as an “artist-teacher” with you today.  I have had many teachers in my search for years to find my niche in the world of art.  Some good, some excellent…this is the example of how a teaching method almost made me put my pastels up for good and it can be translated into your classroom.

And finally…Have art time immediately before bath time. Need I say more?

Practice will help you feel comfortable with paint and canvas. Or chalk pastels and paper {raising my hand again}. Practice. Practice. Practice. Start small. Pull out the crayons. The paint with water. Bring on the paint another day. And watch the joy spread on their faces. And maybe the paint spills on the table. You don’t have to commit to an afternoon. Just 10 minutes.

P.S. How to Deal with the Mess (a little encouragement).

And don’t miss our giveaway – a big box of 144 chalk pastels will surely make art easy!

Life is a great big canvas. Throw all the paint on it you can. ~ Danny Kaye