Ask A South Florida Expert: Easy Crafts To Do With Your Kids
Cari Cohen
The Fun Palette
18384 West Dixie, Bay 3 & 4
North Miami Beach, FL 33160
(786) 272-5412
www.thefunpalette.com
Cari Cohen hails from the artistic and culturally rich city of Buenos Aires. The Fun Palette owner holds a degree in Architecture from the University of Buenos Aires which she followed with specialized studies in various forms of art including photography and multimedia design. She's an expert in jewelry design and abstract art as well, which she applies to her art classes at The Fun Palette. Her own paintings have been featured at such prestigious events as Art Basel and Art Miami as well as in such venues as The Wit Gallery.
Alcohol Dissolves
Materials:
- White Canvas
- Acrylic Paints
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Brush
- Application Tools (such as an eyedropper)
"Alcohol will dissolve acrylic when dropped onto wet paint, creating some interesting effects such as bubbles. Apply diluted acrylic paint. If the paint is applied too thickly, the alcohol won't work because it won't be able to penetrate it. Start with only a color in one section and proceed to the next step. Apply the alcohol to the wet paint using an eyedropper and wait a few seconds to see the effect. Just apply a small amount, if you use too much alcohol, it will dissolve the entire layer. Repeat the same process using different colors and creating different shapes until you cover the whole canvas with paint and alcohol drops."
Related: Top Pottery Painting Classes For Kids In South Florida
Plastic Wrap
Materials:
- White Canvas
- Acrylic Paints
- Brush
- Plastic Wrap
"Use a brush to combine different acrylic colors. In this example we used different shades of blue, but you can use up to three different colors. Add a little bit of water – the idea is to have a diluted acrylic. Add plastic wrap immediately on the wet layer. Cut a sheet of plastic and place it onto the wet surfaces, keeping its wrinkles. If the plastic goes on too smoothly, it won't create interesting textures. Gently press it down with your hands, patting it all over. Let it dry for 8 hours and take off the plastic. You will be amazed with the unique texture!"
Tape Project
Materials:
- White Canvas
- Acrylic Paints: red, orange, yellow, white and black
- Brush
- Masking Tape
"Use a brush to paint a colorful background using all of the acrylic colors on the materials list except black. Do not mix the colors – just keep each color and you will have a very colorful and bright background. Once it's dry, apply tape creating different lines and shapes. Use a brush and cover the whole canvas with black paint – don't add any water to the black paint. Don't worry, paint over the tape. Once you finish, be sure you don't have any spots that do not have black paint. Remove the tape and discover your masterpiece!"