Tape Resist Art with Watercolors

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This art activity is one that I re-purposed from my teaching days. Years ago, when I did this Tape Resist Art with Watercolors with elementary-aged kids, I used blue painter’s tape. I didn’t have any blue painters tape the day I did this, so I improvised and used masking tape. I figured maybe it would stick a little more but it wouldn’t be too bad. It stuck a lot but was still workable. If you plan on using these as art, you would want to use the painter’s tape for sure. But for my purposes, the masking tape worked, though it tore the top layer off of some of the paper. Enjoy making this fun watercolor art! For more watercolor fun, be sure to try this Drip Watercolor Painting.

Tape Resist Art with Watercolors

Supplies you will need:

White paper (I just used copy paper)
Tape – masking tape or blue painters tape (recommended)
Watercolor paints
Brushes
Water

Before the activity, use your tape to make whatever shapes or designs you wish on the paper. I started out with a triangle and square and then moved on to some lines, and finally my favorite, the checkerboard pattern. Don’t worry about being too exact with any of these. The end result will be cool no matter how straight the lines or perfect the shape. I promise!

I gave the kids the taped paper and some watercolors and encouraged them to to paint over the tape. .

One of my twins has so much fun that she did not want to stop after she was done. Normally, I never want to shut down my kid’s creativity, but my daughter kept on painting the same spot on the paper over and over again and I knew that soon a hole would form in the paper. I asked her if she wanted to paint a new paper but she was adamant and kept painting.

You know how sometimes it’s better to let your child do their own thing and learn a lesson? This was one of those times. After a little longer, my daughter was done painting her shapes. Here are her results, holes and all.

My daughter’s checkerboard pattern.

When the paint dries, just remove the tape to unveil the artwork underneath. I just love the finished Tape Resist Art with Watercolors! I mentioned earlier that it was tricky to get the regular masking tape off in spots, and that I would use painter’s tape in the future. You can’t see it in the photos, but in a couple of spots, a layer of paper was taken off with the tape. But you live and learn right?

I am going to have so much fun with this in the future. Think of this project as a jumping off point. There are so many possibilities about what you can do with this technique. You can change it up in many ways depending on the age of the child. I have seen people do their child’s name in tape so when they peeled it off they had a pretty name painting. You can do various shapes, letters, numbers, and patterns depending on what you are teaching and learning. Experiment! You are only limited by your imagination. And your lack of painter’s tape.

If you enjoyed this tape resist art with watercolors check out some more watercolor ideas:

Watercolor Circle Art

Black Glue and Salt Watercolor Rainbow

If you are looking for more fun activities for kids, check out Green Kid Crafts, an earth friendly monthly craft subscription box for kids that sparks creativity while teaching kids a respect and love for the environment. These boxes are themed and each month will be filled with fun projects and creative activities than can be enjoyed by kids from ages 3-10.

Since Green Kid Crafts is an earth friendly company, they use sustainable, safe materials in all of their products. They also give a portion from each sale to environmental non-profits. Learn more about a monthly subscription of fun!

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Comments

Two Grad Students and a Pittie says
November 8, 2011 at 1:57 pm
What a fun project!
Pam from Over the Big Moon says
November 8, 2011 at 2:26 pm
So fun! My son is obsessed with painting right now and he'll love this! Thanks so much!
Pam
http://www.overthebigmoon.com
Vicky says
November 9, 2011 at 4:40 pm
Two Grad Students, thanks! The best part was peeling the tape to reveal the art underneath.
Vicky says
November 9, 2011 at 4:40 pm
Pam, Let me know what your son thinks.
New Jersey Nutcracker says
November 11, 2011 at 4:30 am
You shared an absolute entertaining and creative activity for kids.
Deborah says
November 13, 2011 at 3:40 am
Wonderful idea. I can't wait to share this with my class!
Vicky says
November 13, 2011 at 4:21 pm
@ New Jersey Nutcracker, Thanks! My daughter saw a commercial for the SF Nutcracker and she was enthralled.
@ Deborah, thanks, I hope you have a fun time with your class.
Barbara Allisen says
November 13, 2011 at 6:20 pm
This is also a super idea for showing how the UNpainted part makes the shape (positive and negative space).
Jenny says
November 13, 2011 at 10:06 pm
I love this idea! Think I'll have to try something like this with my little boy soon.
Jackie H. says
November 14, 2011 at 7:55 pm
Great project. I've been wanting to make some pictures of the first initials of the boys names to frame and use to label coat hooks and towel hooks. This would be a great way to create an initial picture and they can participate in making it! Thanks
Liberty says
November 14, 2011 at 10:15 pm
Great idea!! I can't wait to try this with my little guy. Thanks for sharing! :))
xxoo,
Liberty
libertyoriginal.blogspot.com
andthatsfamily says
November 15, 2011 at 6:53 pm
I have done some of these with my kids here at home and in Sunday School. I actually found tempera paint worked really nicely for the younger crowd – less of a chance of making the paper too wet and making a hole (though some still managed to). I love the look of the water colour patterns though – definitely using them next time with my bigger kids!
Aimee from Classified: Mom says
November 18, 2011 at 8:59 pm
This post makes me miss teaching art! I love how it turned out 😉 Thank you for sharing your ideas with us on The Sunday Showcase
Charlene @ Adventures In Mommy Land says
November 20, 2011 at 3:30 am
What a neat idea…going to have to try this with my boys soon.
Thanks for sharing on Hey Mom, Look What I Did at Adventures In Mommy Land…hope to see you again soon!!

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