It's amazing when you realize that there's just so many beautiful things we can do with our hands and fingers! We are not limited by any tool or any painting object for that matter.
Well, of course, with the exception of attending art classes where you get to learn fun artistic techniques and a few sets of paint and paper to use as medium, finger painting is an amazing art skill to learn and master as you go along!
In this article,we will cover 5 interesting facts about finger painting that we hope will get you interested and hyped!
Well, of course, with the exception of attending art classes where you get to learn fun artistic techniques and a few sets of paint and paper to use as medium, finger painting is an amazing art skill to learn and master as you go along!
In this article,we will cover 5 interesting facts about finger painting that we hope will get you interested and hyped!
Fact #1: Finger painting is credited to a teacher as an art education medium
And this teacher to whom finger painting is credited to is named Ruth Faison Shaw. Although she is an American teacher, she developed her finger painting techniques in Rome, Italy before patenting a safe non-toxic paint sometime between the 1930s.
What inspired her to start finger painting, you might ask?
In the 1920s, Ms. Ruth was looking for a more clever and imaginative way for children to express themselves artistically. She thought that the best medium she can come up with that is safe for children to use with their fingers is by mixing liquid starch with a dry ground pigment or crumbled chalk to give it color.
She says, "Finger paints are direct descendants of mud pies. All I have done is add the rainbow". Below is how Ms. Ruth Faison Shaw looked like:
What inspired her to start finger painting, you might ask?
In the 1920s, Ms. Ruth was looking for a more clever and imaginative way for children to express themselves artistically. She thought that the best medium she can come up with that is safe for children to use with their fingers is by mixing liquid starch with a dry ground pigment or crumbled chalk to give it color.
She says, "Finger paints are direct descendants of mud pies. All I have done is add the rainbow". Below is how Ms. Ruth Faison Shaw looked like:
Fact #2: Finger painting is not only for kids
Yes, you read that right!
Finger painting is not only for the younger crowd to enjoy. Iris Scott, who made the dog painting above with just her hands, is one of the more popularly known finger painting artists these days. She currently does her art in Brooklyn, New York. Check out her beautiful artworks in the gallery below! You may be inspired to do the same as well.
Finger painting is not only for the younger crowd to enjoy. Iris Scott, who made the dog painting above with just her hands, is one of the more popularly known finger painting artists these days. She currently does her art in Brooklyn, New York. Check out her beautiful artworks in the gallery below! You may be inspired to do the same as well.
Fact#3: Finger paint is even considered therapy and not just a form of art
Again, finger painting is not just an activity for kids to enjoy.
Finger painting is considered therapeutic for individuals of all ages and abilities, allowing the freedom and happiness of self-expression.
Self-expression, as we all know, can be a source of healing when there are emotions that need to be unleashed or feelings that need to be resolved.
Finger painting opens the doors of our imagination. It is also in the movements that we do with our fingers and body where we realize the truest expression of ourselves and our emotions.
Finger painting is considered therapeutic for individuals of all ages and abilities, allowing the freedom and happiness of self-expression.
Self-expression, as we all know, can be a source of healing when there are emotions that need to be unleashed or feelings that need to be resolved.
Finger painting opens the doors of our imagination. It is also in the movements that we do with our fingers and body where we realize the truest expression of ourselves and our emotions.
Photo source: www.abcnews.go.com
Fact#4: Finger painting is not just about using the fingers
It's not only your fingers that can be at work when doing finger painting. You can also use your hands and lower arms as well!
For some experts in finger painting, they use their whole arm to smoothen out paint on paper before they make the more intricate details of their art using their fingers and hands.
Sometimes, finger painting also entails the use of sponges, dry cloths and other tools to achieve specific textures.
Finger painting artist, Nick Benjamin, believes that finger painting allows for the real bond of the artist and the artwork because the artist's body is at totally at work when doing finger painting. He also believes that there are intricate strokes and blending that are only achievable by fingers, and not with brushes.
Plus, brushes wear out over time. Fingers, arms and hands don't!
For some experts in finger painting, they use their whole arm to smoothen out paint on paper before they make the more intricate details of their art using their fingers and hands.
Sometimes, finger painting also entails the use of sponges, dry cloths and other tools to achieve specific textures.
Finger painting artist, Nick Benjamin, believes that finger painting allows for the real bond of the artist and the artwork because the artist's body is at totally at work when doing finger painting. He also believes that there are intricate strokes and blending that are only achievable by fingers, and not with brushes.
Plus, brushes wear out over time. Fingers, arms and hands don't!
Photo source: www.wral.com
Fact#5: Finger painting is super easy and super cost effective
MarFinger painting, in general, is rated as very easy to do. Unless you are aiming for more intricate outcomes with your artwork, finger painting is relatively easy to make across all ages.
And the materials that you will be needing are all easy to source as well.
At its most basic level, all you will need are some sheets of paper, some newspapers (to cover your workplace) and a bunch of paints!
Of course, make sure that you are using non-toxic paints for your safety. Don't put paint on your face, okay? Just on your fingers, hands and arms!
If you are having a hard time sourcing non-toxic paint, you can make your own! Prepare your DIY paint using non-toxic household items like flour or cornstarch mixed with water. Here's a finger paint recipe we found from Martha Stewart's website.
And the materials that you will be needing are all easy to source as well.
At its most basic level, all you will need are some sheets of paper, some newspapers (to cover your workplace) and a bunch of paints!
Of course, make sure that you are using non-toxic paints for your safety. Don't put paint on your face, okay? Just on your fingers, hands and arms!
If you are having a hard time sourcing non-toxic paint, you can make your own! Prepare your DIY paint using non-toxic household items like flour or cornstarch mixed with water. Here's a finger paint recipe we found from Martha Stewart's website.
And while you may need to mix finger paint colors in a palette, you will often get better shading results when you mix colors on your palms.
Another material that's missing is definitely a lot of fun, imagination and creativity! When you do art with your hands, the sky is the limit with the many things you can do.
Another material that's missing is definitely a lot of fun, imagination and creativity! When you do art with your hands, the sky is the limit with the many things you can do.
Your turn!
Discover the wonderful world of finger painting today! It's so easy to get started given the fact that you will be using art materials you are already using and you just need to put your imagination to really good use.
And to hone your artistic prowess, join us in our art classes here at Art Smart where you can learn a variety of basic to advanced art techniques from drawing, painting and crafts to tile mosaics, shading and even oil pastel painting. Art Smart is open for both kids at least 4.5 years old and above!
Check out our schedules for 2016 below and when you are ready to book a class, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at 0915-5948191, 0917-8784766 or (02)7886766.
And to hone your artistic prowess, join us in our art classes here at Art Smart where you can learn a variety of basic to advanced art techniques from drawing, painting and crafts to tile mosaics, shading and even oil pastel painting. Art Smart is open for both kids at least 4.5 years old and above!
Check out our schedules for 2016 below and when you are ready to book a class, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at 0915-5948191, 0917-8784766 or (02)7886766.
See you all very soon at our studios!
P.S. Don't forget to watch Teacher Aubrey's live finger painting demo in ABS-CBN's Umagang Kay Ganda! More clips and photos are available here.
P.S. Don't forget to watch Teacher Aubrey's live finger painting demo in ABS-CBN's Umagang Kay Ganda! More clips and photos are available here.
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