Stone Painting for Kids
Rocks + paint = fun!
Creative kids can paint their own pictures on stone and even make their own toys and games. After all, for most of human history that’s what kids did. They made pies out of mud, forts out of branches, dolls out of grass or sticks, or used the stones they found in riverbeds or on the ground.
Author, artist, and scientist F. Sehnaz Bac has riffed on the stone idea by writing Stone Painting for Kids: Designs to Spark Your Creativity. This book fits the bill for fun, creativity, and home-made toys. Included in this oversize volume are ideas and instructions to give young stone-painters everything they might need to get started with great art projects except stones and paint. Not to worry: stones are easy to find — and so is paint.
Senhaz began her professional career as an archaeologist with a specialty in the ancient ceramics of the Mediterranean. She honed her artistic skills as a draughtsman by drawing accurate and detailed pictures of excavation sites and artifacts. Dover released her stone painting book for adults last year, which showcases her experience and skill in creating her creative and compelling artwork.
Sehnaz is also an excellent teacher, and her skill in that specialty is apparent in the new book as well. Simple, easy-to-understand instructions and suggestions fill the pages of Stone Painting for Kids. Sehnaz gives pointers on finding the best stones for the best results, stone cleaning, and what kind of paint to use. Acrylic paints are bright and easy to use a s are paint pens. Sehnaz also uses Washi tape (it’s like masking tape except super-cute!) to create straight lines and add beautiful detail.
The designs are a great starting point for a child who might feel a little unsure about painting on a rock. There are also great idea for creating game pieces, like a full set of chess or checkers, dominos, or other game counters. And young artists can be flexible with their creations by painting faces on some stones, hands or feet on another, and then arranging the stones into variable creatures.
Older children could also make games for younger ones. Imagine how thrilling it would be for a child learning to count to receive a set of numbers and counters from big brother or sister!
The possibilities are endless. And most children, like they always do, will get the idea and go on to create decorated stones that will astonish the adults (who might be allowed to play too, if they ask!)
