Tape Resist Art with Watercolors

 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

Interested in more fun activities for kids? You'll love Green Kid Crafts, an environmentally friendly monthly craft subscription box for kids that sparks creativity.