Artistic exploration knows no age limits, and advanced squeegee painting is a perfect example of this. While simple squeegee painting can be enjoyed by preschoolers, the technique we’re exploring today is more complex and suited for teenagers. This activity combines drawing skills and careful craft knife handling, making it an engaging challenge for young artists.
Introducing my granddaughter Olivia to this art form was a delightful experience. As a young teenager, she eagerly embraced the challenge, creating not one but two pieces to master the technique. Grandparents who enjoy artistic activities will find this project a wonderful way to bond and create lasting memories with their grandchildren.
Understanding advanced squeegee painting
Advanced squeegee painting is an abstract art technique that involves applying fluid acrylic paint dots or lines to a canvas or heavy paper. The magic happens when you use a rubber squeegee to drag and blend the colors together, creating a unique and vibrant masterpiece. This technique requires a bit more skill than basic squeegee painting, as it involves creating a basic drawing and carefully handling a craft knife.
Gathering your supplies
Before you begin, it’s essential to gather the right materials. You’ll need:
- Fluid acrylic paint in assorted colors. The popular 2-ounce bottles are perfect for this project.
- A rubber squeegee in your preferred size. A wider squeegee will cover a letter-size sheet in a single pull.
- Printer paper that’s at least 24 lbs in weight or cardstock paper. Keep in mind that thicker paper can be harder for children to cut with a craft knife, but too thin won’t work with the paint.
- Masking tape to cover the entire sheet. Avoid tape that’s too sticky, as it can rip your creation apart when removed. Make sure you can see the drawing through the tape.
- A fine black marker for details or corrections.
- Paper towels for wiping the blade and protective covering for your workspace.
Step-by-step instructions
Preparation
Start by creating or printing a drawing to use as your base. You can try one of the illustrations provided or design your own. If you print a model, complete it with additional elements like Olivia did with her laundry basket, tree, sun, and clouds.
Masking your drawing
Place your drawing on your work surface and cover it completely with masking tape. The goal is to reveal the areas you want to paint by carefully removing the tape with a craft knife along the inside edges. This step requires precision and the right amount of pressure to cut only the tape, not the paper.
Applying the paint
Squirt small dollops of different paint colors across the top of each area you want to paint. You can leave space between colors or let them blend together. Position the squeegee at the top of the area, holding it at a slight angle. Scrape downward evenly, pulling the squeegee down across the paper to smear and blend the colors. Light pressure leaves bolder, thicker colors, while hard pressure scrapes away more paint.
Wiping and repeating
Wipe excess paint off the squeegee with a paper towel after each pull. You can use another sheet of paper to create additional artworks with the excess paint. Let your creation dry for 10 minutes before removing all the tape.
Adding final details
Once your painting is dry, you can add details, redo the contours, or make any necessary adjustments with the black marker. The result is a unique and vibrant piece of art that you and your teenager can be proud of.
For a simpler introduction to squeegee painting, consider starting with basic projects before moving on to more advanced techniques using masking tape. Explore Andrea Nelson’s work for inspiration and ideas.
What feeling do you get when working on arts and crafts, regardless of the result? We always love to see your creations, so don’t hesitate to share!
