Reddit mentions: The best art paints for kids

I dabble in urban sketching a bit, so maybe I can offer some input.

For pens, I use a fountain pen (lamy Safari) with waterproof noodler's ink. Occasionally I'll use semi-waterproof ink for interesting bleeding effects. Other options are microns and copic multi liners. For more dynamic lines the pentel pocket brush is great.

As far as sketchbooks I've tried the moleskine you mentioned, strathmore' s hardcover journals, and stillman and birn's beta, delta, and zeta series. The moleskine was okay, but the paper was thin and warped easily. The strathmore journal had a high cellulose content and didn't readily absorb the watercolor in my experience. The stillman and birn are my favorite, specifically the delta, as I loved the warmth of ivory paper. They also offer softcover and wire bound if those are your thing.

For a palette, I'd say it's going to be hard to find one that will fit both 24 colors as well as all your accessories. The tin you linked and other bijou-type boxes are better suited for limited palettes. This can hold that amount and you can probably stuff your water brush and sponges etc in the middle space. It has about the same length as the moleskine sketchbooks, so it shouldn't be too much of a hassle to carry around. Honestly, I don't think it's too big of a compromise to carry your brushes and stuff separately. I personally use this and cart it with all my waterbrushes, pens and stuff in a small zippered pouch. If you don't mind bulk, weight, and price, this could fit a lot inside.

The tube of watercolors works like this. Remember those little watercolor sets back in elementary school where the paint was in the plastic try, in little dried circles? Like this That is pretty much the same thing as what is in the tube but just dried out.

"B-b-b-but doesn't that mean that the paint is ruined?!"

Not at all! Watercolor can always be re-activated by just adding water to it again. That's the beauty of it. Put paint in a spot you don't like? Just put water on it again and brush it off. (note: It wont come of perfectly because of the fiber of the paper, but it actually is pretty forgiving). You can always pick up a watercolor tray like this and squeeze the paint out of the tubes and into the compartments of the tray. The paint can be mixed together while still in its wet form (at least I believe it can) and put in its own separate compartments. When it dries in the compartments just hit it with a wet brush to keep using it, just like you did with those little crayola sets. You won't be able to completely re-activate the whole blob, but you don't need to.

Watercolor pencils can be used like regular color pencils, but much like the dried out watercolors in the plastic tray, you can go into the drawing with a wet brush and activate the pencils like regular watercolors. This is useful for mixing wet and dry techniques.

Acrylics are mean as shit! They dry hella fast (especially on paper) and are always like, "Oh, you wanted to mix that? Why don't you mix my balls with your mouth! Go fuck yourself!" At least, that's my relationship with them. It is important to use a medium like matte medium and possibly some retarder (helps them dry slower) to make them more manageable. They tend to work best in opaque layers, as their washes aren't too malleable and the plasticity of the paint tends to not make the nicest glazes. Here is an acrylic piece on paper I finished about 15 minutes ago for RGD, and like always, it took way longer than it should have.

I got started by going to Walmart and buying their cheapest watercolor 140lb paper, and a prang classic 8 color set.

Prang Washable Watercolor Set, 8 Classic Colors with Brush, Assorted Colors (80525) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001E69W9O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_v.dOzbZ75EERV

I followed some YouTube tutorials to do an r2d2 and a wolf, and I was hooked!!! It's been almost a year and I've since then used Walmart tubes, koi watercolor kit, and I just this week bought my first artist grade tubes from winsor&newton and Daniel smith.

That prang set is really surprising quality and for under $5 is one of the best ways to start IMO. It's a very moist paint and rewets and mixes easily, and gives you a full color range to start to learn mixing. It includes a decent round brush, but if you decide you want to try a new brush size or style, I recommend skipping the cheap ones and go to Michaels or Hobby Lobby and using their coupons and sales to get a good brush for half off. Even the best ones they sell at Walmart shed bristles and nothing is more frustrating than picking bristles out of your paint.

By the time you've finished a pad of Walmart strathmore paper, you will have a very good idea of what you want to paint and what products you want to look at spending money on. Better to get that discovery out of the way for $15 than spend $50 and realize you want something completely different!

I’ll do you one better... instead of tiring out your arm using sidewalk chalk sticks, just roll it on with a paint roller... With the sidewalk chalk, they sell for kids a sidewalk chalk that is ground up into a fine dust that you add water to and then the kids “paint” that wet sidewalk chalk on to the ground with paint brushes and rollers. It’s still sidewalk chalk but your applying it like a paint, our kids like playing with that more then the sidewalk chalk sticks. Anyways, buying the powder kind that you paint on to ground is expensive but you can buy 100 sidewalk chalk sticks super cheap. So what we do for our kids is I run over the sidewalk chalk with my car tire to break it up (put it in a ziploc bag before squishing with your car). Then buy a super cheap blender at thrift store or cheapest one from Walmart and use the blender to grind it up into fine dust. It’s more steps but then you can have the paint on version of sidewalk chalk for the same price as regular sidewalk chalk.

This is the chalk “paint” that you can buy that I was referring to as being expensive that is just a fine chalk powder: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074FX5W7K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_H1CiDbBMA8BKA

Or just saw this online you can also get chalk in a spray can form that would be quick to use on fireplace but might not work well as rolling it on with a paint roller. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HDYBMYS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_w0CiDbQWRR8FR

Legos or Magnatiles and a swoop bag to keep them in (parents will love it).

These paint sticks are amazing.

If they like games, hedbanz jr. or zingo can be played by all ages.

The 3 and 4 year olds will love these books by Bethan Woollvin. I also recommend the Princess in Black series.

For the first Mother's Day, I hand-made a picture with my 7 month old daughter's help.

Materials Needed: A few sheets of different colored size A3 paper. Crayola Washable Kid's Paint, a small paint brush, scissors, and some crayons. A picture frame is optional(Ikea Frame).

Directions: There are 2 steps in creating it. Step one is doing the whole left side by yourself and making sure it is dry in time. Then on Mother's Day present the unfinished artwork to the mother. Step 2 involves working with the mother to create the whole right side. Biggest hand goes first, and then smaller and smaller. Add some extra flair to it and win Father of the Year!

I hope this art inspires you Dads to make something great for Mother's Day.

When I was about 6, I loved to draw but I was always bummed to use the "kid supplies" to draw with like crayons and markers. My mom went out and got me "real" art supplies because she said I was a "real artist" and needed the "big people" supplies. It meant the world to me, not only because the stuff she bought me was good but that she also believed in me... so, I would recommend for Adela:

• Professional Oil Pastels
  
• Good quality colored pencils (in a tin... the tin is key to feeling grown up)
  
• Artist SKetch Pad
  
• And, of course, an easel
  
  Now, for Isla, I'd definitely get her her own set of kids colored pencils or crayons so she doesn't try to steal her sister's "good stuff." Just get her a few packs of the crayola stuff. In addition to that, I would suggest:
  
  
• Kinetic Sand (there are other colors available if you search)
  
• Create a Book craft
  
• A Princess Tent to hide her messes
  
• Finger Paints

My two year old daughter loves to fingerpaint and using sponges makes it a LOT less messy. She also loves making music, singing, and dancing. This craft is a fun way to combine both arts/crafts time and music/play time!

As a note on that tutorial, I would suggest using heavier duty paper plates, and stapling two whole plates together rather than folding one in half. The heavier duty plates will hold the paint better, and will be less likely to get ripped and spill beans or rice all over your floor.

Hope you have a good time!! I will post more ideas if I think of them. c: Thanks for the contest.

OK. First, air might do the trick. most people have something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Koh-I-Noor-Pressure-including-Rapido-EzeCleaning-3068SYKT/dp/B004BNNKOU/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=koh-i-noor+ultrasonic+cleaner&qid=1559156384&s=gateway&sr=8-3

It's just a small air bladder that pushes air through a syringe end. This should clear most of the ink from your nib while it's still wet. The kit I linked has a small amount of nib cleaner.

If the ink dries, you want to use water first. If that doesn't work, there is Rapido-eze. You want to follow the dilution directions and use small syringes designed to clean these pens.

https://www.amazon.com/Koh-I-Noor-Rapido-Eze-Cleaning-Solution-30684-x/dp/B000KNNI24

Second, you can put the solution in an ultrasonic cleaner and do that. i don't do this every day with mine if I'm doing something over a weekend or something. Only if the nib refuses to cooperate, or i've been going at it for over 10 hours with a particular nib. Any ultrasonic cleaner for jewelry will work. You can get them cheap off amazon or ebay.

Some people just use a hint of dish soap instead of the cleaning solution. YMMV.

​

Also, I saw somewhere else you just incorporate a mistake. You don't need to with this stuff. Just put some on a q-tip and lightly blot the ink and it should come off the mylar.

https://www.amazon.com/KOH-I-NOOR-Liquid-Eraser-Bottle-Koh-I-Noor/dp/B01AVOC6HY/ref=sr_1_54?keywords=koh-i-noor+eraser&qid=1559156230&s=gateway&sr=8-54

Anything colorful will work, and plushies tend to last a while this Alice and Wonderland set is a good example of long lasting plushies that will take some wear and tear.

Artwork for her room in bright colors would also be really cool.

Crayons, paints, art supplies. Crayola makes a lot of colorful art supplies for kids, like these washable paints. Then just get some giant paper to go with it and you've got some entertaining supplies!

Great suggestion!

I have a question for you. What is preferable: More paint sets with less color variety or less paint sets with more color variety? Because I can probably buy a lot more packs of paint sets if they come in less than 24 colors. Here is an example, what do you think?


Also, among the three supplies you listed, is there one that is needed more than another or does it not matter?

The link you posted is the most cost-effective pack of construction paper I could find on Amazon, so that's good.

These are cheaper packs of large crayons, so I can get a bunch of those if everyone thinks this is the best idea.

Ok, here goes.

First off, I use this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002MHT9Q0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's like holi powder, except it doesn't clump as easily. It's supposed to be used for mixing with water and used as paint.

So, here's the final look: http://i.imgur.com/mJFKm3P.jpg

I got it from good timing, good photoshop, and patience. Oh, and a happy model. One light to the side and one behind.

The tip to get it looking like this is to be in an area with ZERO wind. Wind breaks up the powder instantly and it'll end up like this: http://i.imgur.com/m0JuY4b.jpg which isn't necessarily bad, but it's not what I wanted that's for sure.

Cleaned it up all nice! I got rid of a notebook that I didn't need because I already had one- I just needed another color!

I separated my kids toys from mine. =]

Tagging /u/quitelike !

I would love [this] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004UBH2/?coliid=I1M4E7MG13JS3R&colid=1EITSLPJPBRC5&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it) because I just got kid paintbrushes from /u/quitelike and now I need paints!

When my youngest was 2-5, her favorite activity in the universe was finger painting.

So you start with some art smocks, add a plastic tablecloth, and finally, washable finger paints.

This can be done inside or outside and really is fairly easy to clean up. I would swear kids love it because it's like being given permission to be dirty and messy.

Washable fingerpaints! Let 'em be artsy! I recommend doing this in your kitchen or somewhere with tile, though, just to be on the safe side. Plus you can give their finished artwork to their parents, who will see that you entertained them without just plopping 'em in front of a TV.

Skim milk is the consistency I go for. Personally though, instead of adding water I would highly recommend a wet palette. If you want to take your painting up a notch, then the wet palette is what you want. They are easy to make. Just get a container, throw a sponge in there, add water so the sponge is wet and there is a thin layer of water at the bottom, and finally top it with a piece of painting paper. I use the P3 wet palette paper: https://www.amazon.com/P3-Palette-Refill-Pads-93109/dp/B001F8RZIQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1537873511&sr=8-1

I made my own but there are some out there you can purchase. However you go I would highly recommend one. It takes a bit getting used to painting off of, but it's a game changer!

My boyfriend bought me this, it's pretty awesome.

Happy birthday to your kiddo! Mine will be two during the first week of May. This is on his wishlist. Thanks, UPS!

If you haven't ordered yet, I would suggest a travel pallette that includes a waterbrush. [This one](Fils watercolor set 14 color set (japan import) by Kuretake https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0011VFSTU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_7CHZCbNM3TDVZ) and [this one](Amy Tan 351199 Set Watercolors Multi https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07MXJWW1S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_6RHZCbQHWH977) have come with a brush and pen that fit inside. I don't know about the quality of the paints, check reviews. A waterbrush is ideal for hiking because you don't have to carry another cup with you. You should never use a drinking cup as a watercolor rinse cup. The other thing she'll need is an artist journal. [This one](Field Artist Masters Series 5 in. x 5 in. Square Watercolor Journal, Hardbound with 48 pags. 300 GSM Cold Press Paper https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0769FCWB1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_0OHZCbY1WKT38) came up while I was searching. I use a different brand but it has a spiral binding and is bulkier. This is a good name brand, though.

Very cool scheme dude. I like the fire.

I notice you are having a bit of trouble with the yellows opacity. Try mixing a bit of white (not a shit ton) into your yellow for the base coat. Then you can come back in with the yellow you actually want :)
I really think p3 has a great yellow in the heartfire yellow. http://www.amazon.com/Privateer-Press-Formula-Heartfire-Model/dp/B001BRDJSQ

Hope this helps.

I went to DSW online and found these for you
[Kitty Kat Shoes] (http://www.dsw.com/shoe/mix+no.+6+chelzey+cat+print+flat?prodId=dsw12prod4470048&activeCats=cat10006,cat20068) COST: $17.94
Fun Pink Striped Shoes
Comfy Flats...I want a pair!
Heels to bring out your WILD side

Now my item for my daughter Ellie to have some fun this summer! No mess!

Mine got this for her 2nd birthday to play in the car while we drove for 12h. Worked pretty well, but make sure you put in the batteries before you leave (needs a screwdriver)!

Although there's all kinds of branded equipment (from pin vises to knives to files) specifically for minis, you usually don't need to get the "official" stuff. Cheap pin vises (for drilling and pinning) can be found at any hobby shop, and my $5 set of files works splendidly.

That said, I did get the official wet pallette simply because it was much smaller than any non-branded ones and takes up less bench space. And, admittedly, I'm ok with paying for the convenience of pre-measured pallette sheets. If you wanted to try out painting with a wet palette (and you should!), you can make your own pretty easily.

You might also consider putting something over the table/desk/whatever you work on. So you don't get paint on it or accidentally cut into it with exacto knives. I just use a desk pad that I found at staples. That way I can also write notes to myself on it.

How about something like this? My 7-year-old loves to paint these. Sometimes, since there are two in each pack, she will paint one and I will paint one.

From what I've seen, he uses Mitsubishi Hi-Uni pencils to draw and Tombow Mono eraser . He usually uses g-pens and maru pens with other random felt tip pens for more even linework or filling in large areas. I think most mangaka like Zebra g-pens. I think when he colors he likes to start with Copic markers then go over it with either gouache or opaque watercolor. From his videos, I think he uses Holbein gouache paint and Sakura opaque watercolor with these cheapo Pentel brushes.


Here are some links to some of the products:

https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-Mitsubishi-Hi-Uni-Pencil-2B/pd/10949

https://www.jetpens.com/Zebra-Comic-Pen-Nib-G-Model-Chrome-Pack-of-10/pd/4195

https://www.amazon.com/Holbein-Artists-Gouache-Designer-tubes/dp/B001G7PD1W/ref=pd_sbs_21_5?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B001G7PD1W&pd_rd_r=AB4K7TH9WHKZY44F38ST&pd_rd_w=uJ1pS&pd_rd_wg=QSmdk&psc=1&refRID=AB4K7TH9WHKZY44F38ST

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001MT71GE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2G2H5VOWOABOW&coliid=I1PTCLFOY7S65L

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0057ULB7Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Last year, I picked up sidewalk chalk PAINT! It was a mess, but they loved it. This year, I found these at target.

Umm... I think you should buy this cause I know you like doing crafty bits and bobs and also being a kid, so FINGERPAINTS :)

and this for your furbaby or babies :)

We're doing something like that but with powdered paint instead. Pictures are next week! I bought 6 of these

edit, 6 colors, not 6 sets of 12, haha. There's a pound of powder per jar, and it takes a small amount to make a big mess!

Try this: https://www.amazon.com/Crayola-Washable-Finger-Paints-4-Count/dp/B002VBXL52

It's non-toxic, since it's meant to be used by kids, so it should be safe for what you're planning.

I don't wanna grow up. I need this to give my sister in law a heart attack when I show up to finger paint with her girls!

Crayola Washable Kids Paint

http://www.amazon.com/Crayola-4ct-Washable-Fingerpaints-Primary/dp/B002VBXL52/ref=sr_1_108?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1299260017&sr=1-108
+
http://www.amazon.com/Uncle-Milton-Moon-My-Room/dp/B000EUHKUE/ref=sr_1_42?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1299259756&sr=1-42
?

I believe it is just this stuff. It can really mess up your camera, so if you work with it wrap it up in a camera rain sleeve or something similar.