Using only a gift card and acrylic paints, you can create a colorful abstract background that kids of all ages will love!
Let’s make art easy and fun for your homeschool! In this open-ended art lesson, we take acrylic paints and “scrape” them over the canvas with a gift card, creating a unique and interesting painting process!
Scraping your acrylic paints is a fantastic technique for adding texture, depth, and unexpected effects to your artwork. By using tools like palette knives, old gift cards, or even pieces of cardboard, you can spread and layer paint in unique ways that brushes can’t achieve. This method creates bold strokes, smooth blends, and interesting textures, making it perfect for abstract art or dynamic backgrounds.
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:
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Step-by-Step
Step 1: Use Your Gift Card
Pour out your paints in primary colors. Scoop one color of paint onto your gift card and scrape it directly onto the canvas in patches, leaving some empty spaces for your other colors.
Step 2: Add More Color
Wipe off excess paint before choosing a different color and scraping it onto the canvas as well, alternating between white spaces and right over the top of your first color. Do the same with your third color. Fill in the white spaces with the rest of your colors. You can scrape up and down and side-to-side to maintain a “patchy” and geometric look, or you can wiggle your gift card to create swirls. Keep adding until the colors start to mix.
Step 3: Add White
Scrape white paint directly over the top of your colors, or keep adding more colors on top of that! (Keep in mind that the more colors you mix, the more you will draw out browns and grays.)
Step 4: Admire Your Abstract Art Piece!
Why You Should Try Scraping in Your Next Art Project
- It Adds Unique Textures – Scraping creates bold, layered textures that brushes can’t replicate.
- Encourages Spontaneity – The unpredictable results o scraping help artists loosen up and embrace the creative process.
- Creates Smooth Blends and Transitions – When you scrape paint across a surface, it can create soft gradients and seamless color transitions.
- Adds Multiple Layers – Scaping your paints adds multiple layers, exposing hidden colors and adding depth and contrast.
- Great for Abstract and Expressive Art – This technique is perfect for creating bold, energetic compositions that rely on texture and movement.
Watch this video as I walk you through step by step:
Or watch it on YouTube here.
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