This simple abstract mark making lesson is a great way to introduce creativity in a way that feels doable, fun, and allows your kids to think embrace the chaos!
If art has ever felt overwhelming in your homeschool, start here! Abstract mark making is one of the most freeing and expressive ways to create art. Unlike traditional drawing or painting, it focuses on the process rather than the final outcome, encouraging artists to explore line, shape, texture, and pattern in spontaneous ways. It’s especially great for kids who want to make art without limitations!
Art supplies you will need:
Feel free to use whatever art supplies you have on hand, but if you want to know which brands of art supplies we use, we’ve linked them below:
Step-by-Step: Let’s Make Abstract Marks!
Step 1: Paint Random Brush Strokes
Take a large flat brush and start adding splotches of paint all over your canvas, using big bold brush strokes. Layer different colors, mixing some or painting over others, until your entire canvas is full of color and patchy.
Step 2: Add Abstractions
Using a smaller brush, paint random shapes, lines, and weird patterns. Don’t think too hard about it, just add layers of color and shapes, painting over previous shapes and colors until you make something that you find visually interesting.
Step 3: Add Random Marks
With white paint, make different dots, dashes, lines, squiggles, swirls or shapes on top of everything.
Step 4: Outline, Shadow, and Accentuate
Now take some paint markers (Sharpie markers, Posca paint pens, acrylic pens, etc.) and add some extra, finer details to the artwork, accentuate shadows, outlining interesting shapes, and adding new shapes and designs on top of the paint layers to help the other shapes stound out.
Step 5: Admire Your Work!
Once you’re happy with what you’ve created, stand back and admire this quirky, colorful , abstract art piece! You can use it as a background for another art project, or leave it as-is and hang it on the wall for everyone to see!
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Why Your Kids Should Making Abstract Marks
- Encourages Creative Freedom – Kids can make marks without worrying about “getting it right,” boosting confidence in their artistic abilities.
- Promotes Emotional Expression – Abstract marks allow kids to express feelings through movement, color, and texture.
- Introduces the Elements of Art – Through mark making, kids naturally explore line, shape, texture, and composition.
- Encourages Playful Learning – The process is fun, interactive, and engaging, making art a joyful experience.
Watch this video as I walk you through step by step:
Or watch it on YouTube here.
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