Sunday, February 7, 2010

Should I do with water paint or oil paint? Do you have any suggest for technical paint?

I want to teach my son (5years) to paint.Should I do with water paint or oil paint? Do you have any suggest for technical paint?
Like the others said, stay away from oil paints for a five year old. They are far too messy and you have to be patient to paint with them as they take a long time to dry, you have to pain on canvas with them, and you have to use solvent (turpentine, turpenoid, mineral spirits = really bad for your son) to clean up the brushes.





Water colors are always a fun medium for a loose, light paint. I painted with water colors when I was five years old and never stopped using them. They are a good beginner paint and an excellent paint to combine with drawing. Also try gouache, which is an opaque water color paint.





If you want to use more rich, opaque colors you'll want to paint with acrylics. They are easier to clean up (as they are water soluble). You can paint on paper, canvas, wood, pretty much anything with acrylic paint. For water colors you will have to have a thick watercolor paper for the best effect.





Also, you can use Tempera paint. When I was in elementary school we would always paint with tempera (poster) paint. It's more of a chalky paint that drys matte color. I would probably stick with acrylic paint though.Should I do with water paint or oil paint? Do you have any suggest for technical paint?
Oh, stay away from oils. You need solvents to clean everything, and watch out if your five year old gets them on your furniture or carpet. Watercolor paints are ok, and you can get a set appropriate for a child for not to much money.
Each medium has its strengths and weaknesses.





However, for a 5-year-old, I'd use watercolors because they don't stain as badly.





Or, maybe, colored chalk and charcoal
Oils would not be good for a 5 year old, they take a long time to dry, they get everywhere if you are not careful and they are not safe for children to work with, I would suggest that you speak with someone at your local arts and crafts shop and discuss safe options for your child.
Maybe finger paints? Non-toxic comes to mind first, and that rules out oils, and acrylics. Plus, clean up is easier, water soluble being easiest. And he can express himself without having to grasp a brush, that can come in a few years!

No comments:

Post a Comment