DIY Kid Canvas Art: Paint-By-Color

Try this fun DIY kid canvas art project. Create a paint-by-color for kids by painting the general design in light colors on the canvas. Similar to a paint-by-number, kiddos use the lightened base layer as a guide to paint the design and add details with darker colors.

We first tackled a canvas paint-by-color when my kids were 3 and 1 1/2. I painted a large rainbow spanning 2 canvas panels in acrylic craft paint mixed with lots of white. Then, I gave each kiddo one full-strength color with the instruction to paint over the matching lightened color.

With the structure of the paint-by-color base, they had a blast adding swipes of color. After several sessions, the dyptych was complete and has a very abstract feel.

Several years later, we repeated this DIY kid canvas art project. My 4- and 5-year olds both enjoyed painting on large canvas, but their approaches were very different. Knowing my son’s short attention span for painting, I painted the solar system background in full-strength colors so he could focus on the planets. Plus, with the paint-by-color base layer, he didn’t have to cover every inch of the canvas.

My daughter loves painting, so I left her flower paint-by-color less structured. Painting a base layer only for the flower centers gave her freedom to add detail to the centers, create any petal style, and mix colors.

@creativelyhome

🎨🖌 This paint-by-color is a fun art project for young kiddos. Create a base layer using light colors that your kiddo can use as a guide to paint the design and add detail with darker colors. Check out the process and some examples at creativelyhome.com – search “paint-by-color”. #kidart #toddlerart #kidpainting #toddlerpainting #artforkids

♬ Here Comes The Sun / The Inner Light – The Beatles

Where to find canvas:

Art canvas can be pricey, especially for large canvas. For kid canvas painting, artist grade canvas isn’t necessary. Check craft stores for sales or coupons to bring the canvas price down.

Yard sales or thrift stores are another great source. When repurposing old canvas, wipe with a damp cloth to remove dust and let the canvas dry. Apply one or two coats of white acrylic paint or primer to cover the existing painting. Then apply the paint-by-color base layer.

Looking for more kid art? Check out these projects:

• Create Outdoors: Ideas for Kid Art on a Hike
• Elevate Kid’s Painting With a Bold Outline
• DIY Kid Thank You Cards
• Ikea Kid’s Squeeze Paint Ideas
• Favorite Kid Craft Kits (Ages 5-7)
• Basic Kid Needlepoint

DIY Kid Canvas Art: Paint-By-Color – Supplies

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• canvas
• pencil
• acrylic craft paint
• paint brushes
• paint palette
• smock
• oilcloth table covering

How to Create DIY Kid Canvas Art: Paint-By-Color

1. Sketch The Base Layer

Using a reference image or your imagination, sketch the basic shapes of the DIY kid canvas art. A compass comes in really handy for circles or curves. For the solar system and flower paint-by-color, I used a compass to draw different size circles. I also used the compass for the rainbow. After tracing a bowl for the bottom band, I set the compass width and traced the first line with the point end and repeated.

2. Paint The Base Layer In Light Tones

Cover the entire canvas with a layer of paint – this seals the canvas and smooths the surface. Create lightened tones for the paint-by-color base by adding white to the paint. For younger kids or those with a shorter painting attention span, consider using full-strength paint for the background to reduce the amount of painting required.

When painting large areas, I squeeze a couple colors directly on the canvas and blend. This creates interesting swirls and shades. For older kids or painting enthusiasts, paint more of the canvas white so the kiddo has more freedom to create. Let the canvas fully dry.

3. Break Out The Paint

Start by setting up the workspace with some essentials for minimizing art mess – smocks, oilcloth tablecloths, paint palettes, and washcloths. We used acrylic craft paint instead of washable kid paint for this DIY kid canvas art. Acrylic craft paint is often thicker than washable paint, so has better 1-coat coverage. Also, we have more color options in our craft paint selection. I love for the kids to mix their own paint. But, for a project this large, using paint directly from the bottle is easier than trying to match a previously mixed color.

My kiddos painted at the table, with the canvas laying flat. If you have a large enough easel, prop the canvas on the easel and let the kiddo paint standing up. Make sure to cover the floor, as acrylic paint can stain.

4. Create Paint-By-Color DIY Kid Canvas Art

Load the palette with the full-strength colors used to paint the base layers. Also ask the kiddo if there are additional colors they’d like to use.

Use reference images to get the kiddos started, then let the creativity fly. Kids can add detail on top of the base layer, using the paint-by-color as a guide.

Don’t forget to paint the canvas edges!

Encourage kids to finish the painting, but no worries if they lose interest. They can always pick it up another time.

When the kids finish painting, ask if the art has a title; we love their creative, sometimes hilarious, titles. Write the title, date, and child’s name on the back (or have the child write), then hang and enjoy!

Give this DIY kid canvas art paint-by-color a try and let us know how it goes!