Jasper Johns is an American painter, sculptor and printmaker whose work is associated with a combination of abstract expressionism and Neo-Dada with influences from the pop art movement.
Art for preschool-aged children is mostly process-oriented, focusing on enjoying the steps to create rather than achieving a perfect final result. This project allows for the exploration of materials and processes, while also interacting with letters of the alphabet to reinforce your child’s growing literacy. What letters will your child choose? Their own initials, a pet’s name, the initials of every family member or something else?.
Materials:
– White paper, preferably heavy paper
– Acrylic or Tempera paint
– Cardboard pieces
– Scissors
– Paintbrushes
– Tape, preferably blue painters tape
Parent Set-Up
If you feel your child is able to participate in these steps let them do so. It is part of the creative process.
Step 1: Cut Out Letter
Talk about what letter your child would like to make and what words start with that letter. Once you’ve decided, draw and cut out a letter of the alphabet about half the size of the paper your child will paint on. Parents can lightly draw the letter in pencil and let the child fill it in afterwards.
Step 2: Cardboard Combs
Using scrap cardboard, cut teeth into small squares or rectangles to create a few combs. This will be used as a painting tool for your child, so make sure they are small enough for your child to handle.
Step 3: Secure Paper & Protect Surfaces
If possible, line your child’s workspace with paper or a washable cloth to make cleanup easier. Tape the white paper to the table to prevent the paper from moving while your child paints.
Painting Process
Step 1: Comb Painting
Using the cardboard combs created in step two have your child dip the comb in paint and scrape it onto the white paper. Allow them to work until they cover most of the paper, then set aside to dry. This painting technique mimics one used by Jasper Johns.
Step 2: Tape Letter
Secure letter cut-out to dry painting by rolling balls of tape and securing them to back of the letter and then pressing down.
Step 3: Paint
Supply your child with paint and paintbrushes and allow them to paint over the previous painting and the taped on letter. Allow paint to dry completely.
Step 4: Remove Letter
Once the paint has completely dry, carefully remove the taped letter from your painting to reveal your finished work. Continue creating more letters to spell out names or new words.
What other tools can you use to create patterns? Markers, a fork, an old toothbrush?
Created by Andrea Minobe
