Do you remember how much fun you had finger painting when you were a kid? Have you ever thought that you wouldn’t mind finger painting again as an adult, just for old times’ sake?
You know, finger painting isn’t just for kids. It can be a great way for adults to get creative, and believe it or not, there is a lot of skill that goes into great finger painting!
When you are finger painting, you are painting by feel. So, you get a much better understanding of the paint you are working with, and you have more control than you might have with using paintbrushes.
Finger painting is a great theme for a paint and sip party. I have taught a couple of these classes, and everyone who attended had a good time and went home with a cool piece of art that they created without using any brushes.
Today we are going to talk about finger painting for adults, the supplies you will need, and more. Let’s get started!
Finger Painting Involves Skills
There is a lot more to finger painting than you might think. When adults finger paint, they are using many of the same techniques that they would use if they were working with brushes.
You can sketch out your idea in pencil first to get an idea of where certain elements of the painting should be placed. Then, you can dip your fingers into the paint and start getting creative.
It is important to have a good understanding of color theory if you are going to get into finger painting. You also need to know about manipulating sizes, spatial awareness, etc. to get the right proportions.
But, just because you need to know some art fundamentals, it doesn’t mean that you can’t just let yourself go wild with finger painting. In fact, I encourage this!
Why Would Adults Want to Do Finger Painting?
Being an adult can be very stressful, and a great way to alleviate some of that stress is to do some finger painting. There are no real rules to follow, and this art form allows you to have a sense of freedom that you may not always have, especially when you have to work, pay bills, and run a household.
Finger painting is a great way to get your creative juices flowing, and it is an ideal form of relaxation. It is also great because it is more sensory than painting with brushes. After all, you are touching the paint and the canvas.
Being able to feel where you are putting the paint and how it blends will give you a greater sense of control. It will make it easy to be able to manipulate the paints and create fantastic images.
What Will You Need for Adult Finger Painting?
You are going to need to have the right supplies for finger painting. I don’t suggest using children’s paints.
Instead, look for jars of acrylic paint, or even acrylic craft paint. It will wash off your hands easily, and it dries fairly quickly.
Here is a list of the supplies you will need for adult finger painting.
- Acrylic paint
- Canvas or another painting surface
- Rubber gloves
- Apron (or wear old clothing)
- Drop cloth for spills
- Soap
- Hand sanitizer
- Hair dryer (this is optional, but it can help to dry the paint faster)
Ideas for Adult Finger Painting
There are so many things you can do with finger painting. For most paint and sip finger painting parties I tend to use canvases, but here are some other ideas you may want to try.
#1. Finger Paint on Furniture
Do you have an old dresser or another piece of furniture that could use a bit of sprucing up? Why not do some finger painting on it?
You might be surprised at how much you can transform an old piece of furniture and make it look much more interesting. Finger painting will give you some unique furniture that will be awesome conversation pieces.
Keep in mind that you will need to do some prep work if you are going to finger paint on furniture. You will have to sand down wooden surfaces and finish with a coat of solid paint before you begin finger painting.
#2. Finger Paint on Walls
There are no rules that state you must have plain, boring walls in your home. If you have acrylic paint you can do some finger painting on the walls to create unique designs throughout your home.
You can paint a mural with your fingers just as easily as you can with a paintbrush, and it is going to be a lot more fun. I advise wearing gloves while finger painting unless you enjoy getting messy. That is up to you!
If you want to add a bit of brushwork, go right ahead. The murals you paint are your creation, and you can use whatever tools are at your disposal.
#3. Finger Paint on Decorative Items
Take a look around your home and see all of the interesting items you could finger-paint on. You don’t have to limit yourself, and there is virtually nothing you can’t paint on.
I love doing finger painting on mirror frames, and even on the mirrors themselves. Don’t even get me started on finger painting all over plates, ornaments, and other decorative items.
Wooden bowls are also great to paint on, and anything made out of ceramic is a great option. One thing to remember about ceramics is that they have been glazed, so the paints may not stick well. You may have to use a coat of spray paint before you begin finger painting on ceramics.
You can even do finger painting on fabric. Imagine having a one-of-a-kind piece of clothing that you created simply by finger painting.
Final Thoughts about Finger Painting for Adults
Finally, here are a few tips to help you get started with finger painting. First, paint in layers, because it will make the colors come to life. Make sure you give each layer plenty of drying time before starting the next layer.
Create pieces that involve a lot of blending. Finger painting is great for blending, and the more you do it, the better your skills will become.
At the end of your painting session, you will have something interesting and unique. If you want to host an adult finger painting party, talk to an art instructor and get a group together for some painting fun.
Sari Green is a semi-professional artist and professional writer. She has been hosting paint & sip parties for the past couple of years, and truly enjoys helping other people to create their very own masterpieces. She loves to create, and you never know what she’s going to come up with next!