Galaxy Painting Virtual Pop-Up

This week’s art making activity: Galaxy Painting Techniques

Charles Williams Comics

• Atlanta Contemporary’s 2020 retrospective of Charles Williams’ work includes an amazing collection of his hand drawn comics.
• Charles’ comics depict satirical aliens, unusual spacecrafts, and the Amazing Spectacular Captain Soul.
• Learn more about Charles Williams life and works on his exhibition page

Exploring Painting Techniques

• For this virtual pop-up art making activity we wanted to share some easy painting techniques for using watercolor or acrylic paints.
• Consider these simple techniques and experiment with your own using supplies you have around your own house.
• As with all of our virtual pop-ups, the intention is to get you thinking creatively. Focus on experimenting with the process, rather than focusing on the finished piece. We are excited to see how you make this artmaking activity your own. Share your creations with the tag: #ACMakes

Click here to download the Charles Williams Galaxy activity sheet.

Click here to watch a video of the processes used.

Materials

• Watercolor paint in galaxy colors (or acrylic with a little water mixed in to thin it out)
• Paintbrush and water cup
• Masking tape
• Scissors or craft knife
• White acrylic paint
• Toothbrush
• White crayon
• Charles Williams activity page

Technique 1: Masking

• Have you wondered why they call it masking tape? The tape is used to mask, or cover up, areas of your work to prevent paint in a desired area.
• Use the craft knife or scissors to carefully cut the tape to the size of the area you would like to mask.

Technique 2: Wax Resist

• Remember this elementary school favorite? A standard wax crayon will resist, repel water-based paints, leaving the paper underneath exposed.
• This technique is great because it is safe and easy for all ages and skill levels to explore.

Technique 3: Splatter Paint

• There are many interesting techniques, utilizing a wide variety of tools, for creating splattering paint markings in works of art.
• When working indoors or in a small workspace we’ve found that using a toothbrush yields reliable splatters while keeping the mess to a minimum.
• Apply a small amount of paint to a paper plate, rub bristles in the paint, and use your thumb to flick paint off of your brush and onto your work surface.

** Acrylics or other medium body paints work very well for splatter painting.

Share your creations!

• We encourage you to share your works by using the tag #ACMakes on social media.

• Share what inspired your work or process to help inspire others.

• In need of inspiration? Check out our amazing digital archive and share the works that inspire you.

Vocabulary

• Masking: using tape, or other adhesive material, to resist paint leaving the paper underneath exposed.
• Wax resist: using waxy media, such as a crayon, to repel paint leaving the paper underneath exposed.
• Splatter paint: using a tool to flick splatters of paint onto a work.