Jackson Pollock Inspired Yarn Painting for Kids

Jackson Pollock is known for drip painting in the abstract expressionist movement. Who else is known for painting with drips? Kids! Kids always drip paint in places they’re not supposed to drip paint. But, with this project, that’s okay! Drips are encouraged in yarn painting. Process art encourages kids to explore art with no right or wrong finished product. And this particular process art piece will look better with drips because that’s Jackson Pollock’s style! Little ones will love the process of yarn painting, and you’ll love the Jackson Pollock inspired product. It’s cost-effective as well. Grab some yarn, paint and some paper, and you’re good to go!

Supplies:
Cardstock or paint paper
Washable paint (I used washable tempera paints in blue, red and yellow.)
Separated paint holders (plates, cups, containers, etc.) to make dipping the yarn easier
Yarn (one 8 inch piece for each paint color and child)
Large black construction paper (bigger than the cardstock or paint paper)

Directions:
First, give children a sheet of cardstock, paint in separate containers, and yarn for each of the paint colors. Then, the kids should press their yarn into the paint until they completely cover the yarn with paint. The kids can then spread their yarn onto the cardstock. They can decide what they want to do with their paint-saturated yarn – they can drag it, flick it, spread it, press it! Once they get the hang of it, they can repeat dipping their yarn into the paint and then transferring the paint to the page however they’d like. After the kids cover the page in paint, let it dry at least a little bit. (Your kids will probably use more rather than less when it comes to paint.) Finally, with help, the kids can glue their paintings onto the black construction paper for a matte finish.

The finished product:

The real thing and the inspiration: