texasmama Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Help a mom of a prolific artist out here. I have no artsy background or experience. My little dd is whipping through 3-4 canvases a week, and I cannot sustain this at typical prices at the local stores. Art is her THING, so I am open to suggestions of cheaper options or good places online or at brick and mortar stores to get these. Buying in bulk will work for us. I do not foresee her quitting anytime soon. It is her major hobby. Here is one she did yesterday - acrylic on canvas. :) 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiara.I Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Dollar store. No, really! They've got the flat canvases (canvas glued onto a cardboard backing, I think) that would be quite appropriate for a child. They also have some stretched canvases. Honestly, I'd go for the flat ones--more store in the same space! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomatHWTK Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Jerry's art o' rama (online) just had a huge sale, not sure if it is still on or not. It's the Big Fall Sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinRTX Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Instead of painting on canvas, will she paint on mixed media paper? My artist daughter paints most of her work on that. It might be cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamiof5 Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 What a darling picture!!! I was going to suggest also dollar store, but then thought were are you going to store all this canvases??? So yeah, what about a thick paper drawing notebook? That way all the art will be in one place? My girls love drawing and enjoy having their own notebook and all their art compiled in the same book Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Not quite the same but we got some leftover matboard from a framing shop for free, once a month she gives away stacks of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted September 3, 2015 Author Share Posted September 3, 2015 Thank you all for your help. I am art ignorant so I don't even know where to start! I will look up the sturdy papers mentioned. She loves painting with acrylics. I had no idea that the dollar stores carry these things. I went to Jerry's and became overwhelmed with the options because I don't even know what most of the stuff is. :lol: All I did was hand her an art book (52 Art Lessons) and purchase some supplies. She has gone to town! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sahamamama Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 This is no help at all for the canvases, but if your daughter likes to draw, as well as paint, I'd like to recommend the Draw-Write-Now series of books. All three of my girls enjoy these, pull them out on their own (regularly and for years), and have learned to draw surprisingly well with these books. When they paint (watercolors or acrylics), we've just used heavy-duty watercolor paper. It's at Michael's or Hobby Lobby. HTH. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerileanne99 Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Not a long-term solution butMichaels is currently having a huge art sale where packs of canvases are BOGO 1/2 off, and there is a 40% off coupon as well:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted September 3, 2015 Author Share Posted September 3, 2015 Thank you all for your help. It has been quite an education. I got a coupon from Jerry's and was able to get some flat panel canvas things and some mixed media paper for sale price, 25% off and free shipping. I got 36 flat panel canvases (8X10) for $20. She should be set up for a while. She really loves painting on the canvas, but I told her about the pads of mixed media paper so she could keep some art together, and that appealed to her, as well. I am shocked what I have spent on art supplies so far this year, but she really loves it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamiof5 Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Thank you all for your help. It has been quite an education. I got a coupon from Jerry's and was able to get some flat panel canvas things and some mixed media paper for sale price, 25% off and free shipping. I got 36 flat panel canvases (8X10) for $20. She should be set up for a while. She really loves painting on the canvas, but I told her about the pads of mixed media paper so she could keep some art together, and that appealed to her, as well. I am shocked what I have spent on art supplies so far this year, but she really loves it.It's so great that you are encouraging art and finding the time for it. Mine love having their notebooks to look at, but also like having separate pieces here and there. Some of her canvase creations could be perfect Christmas gifts for close friends and family members :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in MO Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 You may want to pick up some gesso in the future. Gesso is used to prime canvases, but can also be used to prime almost any surface for painting. It can even be used to prime regular sketch pad paper, so that it can be painted on. Other surfaces you could have her try painting on is cardboard, paper bags, and wood. Here are a couple of YouTube videos that describe the how and whys of gesso. , 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vida Winter Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Acrylic art pads are textured and primed like a canvas - thicker than usual and they lay flat. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuNaturel Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Besides what Vida Winter mentioned (which was what I was originally going to suggest) consider encouraging her to paint on something larger. I am not ashamed to say that I scope out any hard wood or press board panels being thrown out by neighbors, in thrift stores, etc. Some of the most famous painters went to junk yards! I remember seeing a wooden door painted in the Chicago Art Museum. The painting on it was absolutely gorgeous. You can also buy unfinished wooden objects. Papier-mâché is another option. Craft stores have fun objects made from a dense paper material. My 1.5 year old painting a dense paper ornament from the craft store ($1 a piece). I varnished them afterwards with a high gloss waterproof sealant. Create projects that challenge her, like setting up still life's or taking her outside to paint a landscape. Let her redecorate old things to give them new life. My daughter and I plan to redecorate an old toy chest and table by hand painting it. You will need to use a good sealant afterward. Encourage her to take her time. My daughter took days to complete a canvas because I stressed layering, technique, and detail. We mixed colors until we matched the color we wanted. If it is a landscape, I will take photographs so that she can work on it even in bad weather. I started teaching my daughter at the age of 4, but had a paintbrush in her hand as soon as she could manage it. I never have my kids finger paint. Read a book on painting techniques and teach her one at a time. Most of them are simple. For example stippling is fun and effective in two shades or more for clouds, tree leaves, and grass. I attached a photo of my daughter at age 6 painting her first on site landscape. I'm so sorry for my rambling. I get excited about teaching art to children. As an artist I love hearing about young passion in art. People don't encourage it enough in children. Don't downgrade the materials, upgrade her creatively and imagination with new dimensions. It does not need to be expensive, especially if you encourage them to take their time and add tons of detail. That grass should be many shades of green. There is so much of it that has nothing going on. Ask, what about flowers? How about clouds? Maybe some animals can be closer and some farther. Keep her working on it until it's full of texture and activity. Another activity I did with my daughter was a step aside from painting but in the same direction. We studied impressionism and abstract art, especially the paintings of Monet and Picasso. I used a hole punch to create hundreds of dots out of construction paper in a rainbow of colors. I also cut out larger shapes (but not too many) in every color and a few sizes--triangles, squares, ovals and rectangles. After drawing a plan as to what she wanted to make, I let her build her masterpiece out of the pieces on the non glossy side of a small poster board, armed with a glue stick. She took a week to finish it. It was a definite test of patience and skill. I told her I was not to see a speck of the poster board! If you choose to do this, I highly suggest laminating it immediately. Glue stick glue loses its grip when it gets old and some of the small pieces can come loose and fall off. But it is definitely a worthy project. Okay, end of post! I could write forever about this subject. [emoji14] Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted September 3, 2015 Author Share Posted September 3, 2015 Oh wow, this is all very helpful! AuNaturel, the photo of your six year old is amazing. I had heard of gesso but didn't really understand the purpose so that video clears it up. The 52 Art Lessons is really a pretty good beginning book. She has been able to pick it up and do projects independently. I know NOTHING about art and painting so I have depended on her enthusiasm combined with me providing materials. She also sews a lot by hand and has recently gotten into making small pillows for friends. If I provide the materials and then knot the thread for her (she's still learning this), she will do it for hours. She paints every day. At some point, if she remains interested, I will look for a painting class for her because I know she would enjoy learning about techniques from an expert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuNaturel Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 Thank you. My daughter is now 9. That's an old photo but a favorite. :) I realized that the link Vida gave you was paper pads. Those aren't actually the ones I prefer. I like canvas pads and have used them since I began painting in oils at 12 (self taught). Just lay it on a board and use masking tape on the corners to keep it secure. http://www.dickblick.com/products/strathmore-300-series-canvas-paper-pads/ They are much cheaper and already primed and ready to paint on. After they dry for a month, varnish and when that sets, you can roll them up and store them safely in poster tubes or a dry, cool drawer. Direct sunlight, humidity, and heat are all enemies to the life of a painting. Keep them far away from those and they will last a lifetime plus some. Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted September 4, 2015 Author Share Posted September 4, 2015 Thank you. My daughter is now 9. That's an old photo but a favorite. :) I realized that the link Vida gave you was paper pads. Those aren't actually the ones I prefer. I like canvas pads and have used them since I began painting in oils at 12 (self taught). Just lay it on a board and use masking tape on the corners to keep it secure. http://www.dickblick.com/products/strathmore-300-series-canvas-paper-pads/ They are much cheaper and already primed and ready to paint on. After they dry for a month, varnish and when that sets, you can roll them up and store them safely in poster tubes or a dry, cool drawer. Direct sunlight, humidity, and heat are all enemies to the life of a painting. Keep them far away from those and they will last a lifetime plus some. Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk Thank you for the information and recs. I showed my dd your daughter's painting, and she loved it. :) I introduced little dd to paper mosaic yesterday after reading your idea on this thread. She enjoyed it. She's really just about creating things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Princess5 Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 Besides what Vida Winter mentioned (which was what I was originally going to suggest) consider encouraging her to paint on something larger. I am not ashamed to say that I scope out any hard wood or press board panels being thrown out by neighbors, in thrift stores, etc. Some of the most famous painters went to junk yards! I remember seeing a wooden door painted in the Chicago Art Museum. The painting on it was absolutely gorgeous. You can also buy unfinished wooden objects. Papier-mâché is another option. Craft stores have fun objects made from a dense paper material. My 1.5 year old painting a dense paper ornament from the craft store ($1 a piece). I varnished them afterwards with a high gloss waterproof sealant. Create projects that challenge her, like setting up still life's or taking her outside to paint a landscape. Let her redecorate old things to give them new life. My daughter and I plan to redecorate an old toy chest and table by hand painting it. You will need to use a good sealant afterward. Encourage her to take her time. My daughter took days to complete a canvas because I stressed layering, technique, and detail. We mixed colors until we matched the color we wanted. If it is a landscape, I will take photographs so that she can work on it even in bad weather. I started teaching my daughter at the age of 4, but had a paintbrush in her hand as soon as she could manage it. I never have my kids finger paint. Read a book on painting techniques and teach her one at a time. Most of them are simple. For example stippling is fun and effective in two shades or more for clouds, tree leaves, and grass. I attached a photo of my daughter at age 6 painting her first on site landscape. I'm so sorry for my rambling. I get excited about teaching art to children. As an artist I love hearing about young passion in art. People don't encourage it enough in children. Don't downgrade the materials, upgrade her creatively and imagination with new dimensions. It does not need to be expensive, especially if you encourage them to take their time and add tons of detail. That grass should be many shades of green. There is so much of it that has nothing going on. Ask, what about flowers? How about clouds? Maybe some animals can be closer and some farther. Keep her working on it until it's full of texture and activity. Another activity I did with my daughter was a step aside from painting but in the same direction. We studied impressionism and abstract art, especially the paintings of Monet and Picasso. I used a hole punch to create hundreds of dots out of construction paper in a rainbow of colors. I also cut out larger shapes (but not too many) in every color and a few sizes--triangles, squares, ovals and rectangles. After drawing a plan as to what she wanted to make, I let her build her masterpiece out of the pieces on the non glossy side of a small poster board, armed with a glue stick. She took a week to finish it. It was a definite test of patience and skill. I told her I was not to see a speck of the poster board! If you choose to do this, I highly suggest laminating it immediately. Glue stick glue loses its grip when it gets old and some of the small pieces can come loose and fall off. But it is definitely a worthy project. Okay, end of post! I could write forever about this subject. [emoji14] Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk all your tips were great. we have a 6yo dd who loves art as well. i am having a hard time visualizing the punched construction paper project you are talking about. can i see a picture of something so i can visualize? thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serenade Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 Great thread! This is one I'm bookmarking for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuNaturel Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 all your tips were great. we have a 6yo dd who loves art as well. i am having a hard time visualizing the punched construction paper project you are talking about. can i see a picture of something so i can visualize? thanksI'm glad I could help. I unfortunately cannot find the original construction paper one. I've actually been looking since I mentioned it. We moved in between then and now and I'm not sure what happened to it. :'( But I did find a photo in 2012 of one she did later on her own. She cut the shapes herself. It should still give you a general idea. There are no dots in this one although with the way she overlapped different shades of the same color, you can see how they would be incorporated. I remember her reason for leaving white here--clouds. I thought it was a creative use of "empty space" and didn't protest. [emoji14] However! If you Google "dot art for kids" you'll find many awesome examples of projects that were made entirely of dots by children. I combined the larger shapes with dots so that she had more versatility. Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holly Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 We stock up on art supplies at Hobby Lobby when they are 50% off. There always seems to be something we use on sale when we go in! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meriwether Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 If she paints on paper, she could store her artwork in one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Child-Artwork-Frame-Display-Masterpieces/dp/B000IF7JXS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441420762&sr=8-1&keywords=lil+davinci+art+frames 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sahamamama Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 I'm so sorry for my rambling. I get excited about teaching art to children. Can I hire you to come here and teach my three girls? :) Seriously, though, I bet you could have a business teaching art classes to homeschoolers. People around here (NW NJ) pay for art, if they can afford to. Your children are absolutely adorable. The concentration on your toddler's face is beautiful, and your daughter's sweetness is precious. Way to go! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted September 5, 2015 Author Share Posted September 5, 2015 Can I hire you to come here and teach my three girls? :) Seriously, though, I bet you could have a business teaching art classes to homeschoolers. People around here (NW NJ) pay for art, if they can afford to. Your children are absolutely adorable. The concentration on your toddler's face is beautiful, and your daughter's sweetness is precious. Way to go! Seriously. Would love a knowledgeable teacher like you. I showed little dd the paper mosaic picture upthread, and she has done two of them. She took supplies to a friend's house, and they each did one. She was really excited to learn a new art form. (Aside, she has anxiety and it is particularly bad right now. She was struggling with separating from me to go to the friend's house, but when I suggested she prepare and bring paper mosaic supplies, she brightened up and was willing to go. :) ) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuNaturel Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Thank you both. :) I'm so glad she is enjoying the paper project. Let her know that it isn't just a "kid" thing, the great Henri Matisse cut out paper for many of his art pieces. https://www.moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/2014/matisse/the-cut-outs.html I used to be an assistant teacher for summer art camps throughout my teen years. It was run by local Chicago artists. When we settle down and buy a house, I will consider offering art classes/tutoring. Right now, we don't have the space I would need to do so. Thank you again for the encouragement. Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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