Acrylic Painting: Magic Heart Tree

Supplies needed for the class:

#1. Paint:  Acrylic paint in a variety of colors. You can purchase acrylic craft paint from your local craft store, such as Plaid or Americana. For a more expensive option, there is Liquitex or Windsor Newton. You should have the following colors: black, brown, white, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple. Any other colors are optional.

#2. Paintbrushes: You will need a few different brushes. For this painting you will need a large flat brush for the background, a small flat brush for the tree trunk, and a small round brush for the details and small branches. 

Here is my general list of brushes: A large flat brush for large areas, such as backgrounds. A few smaller flat brushes (we use those for the majority of the painting). A medium and a small round tip brush for the final details. For most of my paintings I find that these brushes are enough: # 12 Flat, # 8 Flat, # 12 Round, # 8 Round, # 2 Round.

#3. Canvas: Canvas board or stretch canvas work well. Sizes between 8 by 10 and 11 by 14 inches work well. Alternative painting surfaces can be wood, cardboard, and heavy duty paper, such as watercolor paper or cardstock. Remember, the larger the canvas, the longer it takes to create your painting! 

#4. Palette: No need to buy a fancy pallet. A paper plate, or a recycled plastic container will work well. 

#5. Cup with water to wash brushes in, an old towel, or paper towels to wipe the brush with. 

Don't forget to wear appropriate clothing for painting! 

Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

I have been teaching art for close to 10 years. My focus always was and will remain on the process of making art. It is so important that kids enjoy themselves in their creative expression.