Art Like A Child

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” -Pablo Picasso

Beatrice Blue, like artists long ago, has considered the loss of exploration and freedom to make art in adulthood. She said, if only we explored as a child does, then style would come naturally.

Adolfo Serra taught that we can learn a lot by watching how children create. They don’t need references, styles, or teachers.Children are natural artists. Give them the tools to work with and off they go.

Give Them Scissors

It is amazing to me what a child can do with scissors. I have seen children build their art out of paper before coloring it. Alternatively, they cut out the finished pieces and rearrange them on a separate piece of coloring paper or make new things from their designs, like bookmarks.

Give Them Every Sort Of Medium

Children mix mediums like they mix playdough. Some crayon here, marker there, then watercolor over everything. Bring out all the art supplies.

Give Them Texture

Children's art can look like a collage of materials: Crazy eyes, stickers, colored paper, macaroni, and glue.

Give Them Different Surfaces To Draw On

Children draw on walls, sidewalks, cardboard, their arms, their faces, surfaces that are notoriously difficult to work with.

Give Them Space

Perhaps the most difficult things for adults to imitate are the things that make children what they are. Children are simple, new to the world, and do not have negative thought patterns holding them back. Children do not have any reason to create art other than for its own sake.

If you are looking for coloring pages for adults or children, I have a set of 3 coloring pages in my shop, featuring woodland critters, ocean critters, and critters you might find around the house. Enjoy!