Painting A Skeleton
The leg bone's connected to the...
The Set Up
A life size skeleton is one of those studio props that earns its keep. It wipes clean, packs away easily, and brings instant curiosity every October. Lay it on a big sheet of paper or a canvas drop cloth. Floor work lets kids move around the form with their whole body.
Fill trays with washable poster paint. Add white to brighten every colour. Offer chunky brushes for sweeping lines and a few small brushes for pattern and detail. Sponges are great for quick blocks of colour.
The Making
Invite kids to pay attention to shape and line rather than accuracy. Trace a rib, paint a rhythm of dots along the spine, flood a bone with colour, then switch tools! It becomes a study of structure and movement wrapped inside play.
Conversations about how bodies bend and balance will appear on their own. Plus all those gorgeously rich questions about bones and skin and brains and bums.
Variations
Use the colourful skeleton as a still life drawing / painting model. Position it in different ways!
Tuck the finished skeleton into the haunted house installation
Materials
• Life size skeleton model, plastic or cardboard
• Washable poster or tempera paint
• White paint for mixing
• Large paper or canvas drop cloth
• Brushes, sponges, trays or palettes
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Painting A Skeleton
The leg bone's connected to the...
Bookmark
Creative Exploration
The Set Up
A life size skeleton is one of those studio props that earns its keep. It wipes clean, packs away easily, and brings instant curiosity every October. Lay it on a big sheet of paper or a canvas drop cloth. Floor work lets kids move around the form with their whole body.
Fill trays with washable poster paint. Add white to brighten every colour. Offer chunky brushes for sweeping lines and a few small brushes for pattern and detail. Sponges are great for quick blocks of colour.
The Making
Invite kids to pay attention to shape and line rather than accuracy. Trace a rib, paint a rhythm of dots along the spine, flood a bone with colour, then switch tools! It becomes a study of structure and movement wrapped inside play.
Conversations about how bodies bend and balance will appear on their own. Plus all those gorgeously rich questions about bones and skin and brains and bums.
Variations
Use the colourful skeleton as a still life drawing / painting model. Position it in different ways!
Tuck the finished skeleton into the haunted house installation
Materials
• Life size skeleton model, plastic or cardboard
• Washable poster or tempera paint
• White paint for mixing
• Large paper or canvas drop cloth
• Brushes, sponges, trays or palettes
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!
