Ken Done Inspired
Big colour, bold marks, and a reef that glows like Ken Done.
The Set Up
Ken Done is an Australian icon: artist, author, ocean-lover, and master of colour! His work absolutely bursts with energy. Beaches and reefs and harbours and coastlines that feel alive with texture and joy. That spirit is exactly what we’re channelling here.
Set your table like a reef: a spread of materials that shimmer, splash, and surprise.
Poster paints (pearlescent ones are magic for the water), liquid watercolours, and oil pastels. Add glitter, markers, and all the tools for making unusual marks like bubble wrap, scourers, sponges (cut into fish shapes if you like), shells, packing foam, loufas, pipettes.
The more variety, the more chance for discovery!
The Making
There’s no single way in. Some artists layer paint thick and fast, others print and stamp and dab until the page hums with texture. Encourage mixing, overlapping, letting colours collide.
The ocean comes alive not in neat outlines but in energy and gesture, just like Done himself.
Your role is simple: curate the buffet of materials, then step back and let the colour run wild!
Variations
Create a giant shared “reef wall” where everyone adds a piece
Limit the palette to just warm or cool tones and watch how the reef mood changes.
Photograph or scan the works and print them smaller to arrange into a whole underwater “gallery.”
Play with scale: tiny shells printed across the bottom, then huge brushstrokes sweeping over the top.
Materials
Poster paints (pearlescent if possible)
Liquid watercolours
Oil pastels, glitter, markers
Sponges, bubble wrap, scourers, shells, packing foam, loufas
Droppers, pipettes, brushes in all sizes
Large thick paper or card (120gsm or higher)
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Ken Done Inspired
Big colour, bold marks, and a reef that glows like Ken Done.
Bookmark
Painting & Drawing
The Set Up
Ken Done is an Australian icon: artist, author, ocean-lover, and master of colour! His work absolutely bursts with energy. Beaches and reefs and harbours and coastlines that feel alive with texture and joy. That spirit is exactly what we’re channelling here.
Set your table like a reef: a spread of materials that shimmer, splash, and surprise.
Poster paints (pearlescent ones are magic for the water), liquid watercolours, and oil pastels. Add glitter, markers, and all the tools for making unusual marks like bubble wrap, scourers, sponges (cut into fish shapes if you like), shells, packing foam, loufas, pipettes.
The more variety, the more chance for discovery!
The Making
There’s no single way in. Some artists layer paint thick and fast, others print and stamp and dab until the page hums with texture. Encourage mixing, overlapping, letting colours collide.
The ocean comes alive not in neat outlines but in energy and gesture, just like Done himself.
Your role is simple: curate the buffet of materials, then step back and let the colour run wild!
Variations
Create a giant shared “reef wall” where everyone adds a piece
Limit the palette to just warm or cool tones and watch how the reef mood changes.
Photograph or scan the works and print them smaller to arrange into a whole underwater “gallery.”
Play with scale: tiny shells printed across the bottom, then huge brushstrokes sweeping over the top.
Materials
Poster paints (pearlescent if possible)
Liquid watercolours
Oil pastels, glitter, markers
Sponges, bubble wrap, scourers, shells, packing foam, loufas
Droppers, pipettes, brushes in all sizes
Large thick paper or card (120gsm or higher)
Back to Top
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Thoughts?
Would love to hear if youv'e tried this or have any ideas on how to make it even better!
