Aboriginal Inspired Art for Kids

This is a very simple project that reflects an art style created in Australia many thousands of years ago on rocks or tree bark. Only recently have paintings been completed on boards. Aboriginal art was created as a way for this group of peopel to tell their stories since they had no written language. They also used only natural materials to create their visual stories such as clay, bark, burnt sticks and rocks.

For this project we will up-cycle a piece of cardboard or paper sack and use tempera paints.

You will need:
a piece of cardboard or paper sack
a pencil
black paint
bright or natural colored paints
paint brush
cotton swab or pencil eraser for creating dots

Begin by drawing a symbol for your story. Our artist chose a turtle.
She also colored her turtle with black watercolor pencil and applied a layer of water with a paintbrush. You could use black tempera paint instead. Wait for the black paint to dry and then apply your dots.

Select a palette of colors and apply dots to the symbol's surface with cotton swaps or pencil erasers. This style of painting is called pointillism. Try to space the dots evenly. 

Create dots to border the outside of your symbol working your way out.

What story does your picture tell? Share your story.