This easy Abstract Heart Painting is a simple but fun art project for kids! All you need is a canvas, some paints and a brush and you can create cute heart art with swirls of any color.
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Fun DIY Project: Abstract Heart Art!
You have to try this DIY Easy Abstract Heart Painting! The abstract blend of the paint colors is so satisfying and beautiful, plus it's simple to bring together.
This easy art project is a great craft for a group, so get some friends or family together and start painting! Use as the perfect valentines art for a party, or as a school art project.
I said this heart painting idea is easy and I mean it. Almost any age would enjoy and be able to complete this craft. My grandkids loved it!
Give your painting as a gift, or hang it up to display in your in your home or child's room. Don't be surprised if someone asks you to make one for them after they see it!
Supplies Needed
You don't need much to make this fun heart artwork:
- Canvas or Multipurpose paper for painting- I used an 8x10-inch canvas, or you can use a similar sized paper for your project.
- Paint brushes- I used a flat brush that was ½-inch wide, but you can use whichever style brush you'd like to create your pattern.
- Acrylic craft paints- You'll need 5 to 6 different colors, choose your favorite!
- Free Heart Shape Pattern- If you'd like some help with the heart shape, use the pattern at the link below!
How to Make an Abstract Heart Painting
Prepare your canvas
You can choose to either use a heavy paper (multipurpose drawing/painting paper) or a craft canvas as a base for this project. Either works well.
I chose a 8x10 canvas (my grands used 9x13 drawing/painting paper), but you can utilize any size! A larger canvas would make a great focus piece on a wall, in a bedroom for example.
Paint your canvas before you start if you prefer a background color behind the abstract shape. Obviously, the canvas will be white otherwise. Let the background color dry completely before proceeding.
Print the free pattern and draw a heart shape
I made a pattern for a heart shape that you can use on an 8x10-inch canvas or similar sized paper. Here is a link to the heart pattern for this craft.
Download the pattern, cut out the shape, center it on the paper or canvas, and then draw around it lightly with pencil. Fold the heart in half and lightly draw a line down the center of the heart on your canvas.
Choose your colors
Chose several colors of your craft paint that you like together, maybe 5 or 6. Just have fun with this! The colors will blend when you do the painting and they make the coolest abstract pattern.
Place random drops of color over the surface of the heart. This is directly from the bottle of craft paint. And I mean drops, not puddles of paint. This is something you may need to help the littles with as they tend to want to squirt on a lot of paint.
Do this with each color of your paint.
Brush the paint
Now take a flat paint brush (I like ½ inch wide) and position it at the center line on the top of the heart. Draw the paint brush around the edge of the heart, stopping when you get back to the center of the heart at the bottom.
Don’t go back and keep painting over the area. Just let the colors run one into the other and make an abstract pattern. If you keep painting the area, it will start turning brown and turn into one muddy color.
Wipe excess paint off the brush onto a paper towel before taking the next stroke.
Position your brush again at the top of the heart, below your first stroke. Draw the next stroke beside the first stroke from top to bottom on one half of the heart. Wipe off your brush.
Repeat the brush strokes to complete the whole half of the heart. Now repeat this process with the other side of the heart.
Touch up the painting
Once you finish the main pattern, lightly brush any unpainted areas to fully cover them. Use the brush to gently remove blobs of paint that you don’t want to leave on the painting.
Again, don’t try to “organize” the paint pattern, and don’t overbrush and muddy up the pattern. You be you! Just enjoy the process of creating in abstract.
Now, go and have a snack and let the canvas dry completely.
Finish the abstract heart design
When dry, come back and make some decorative brush strokes over the top. This can be anything you want- dots, squiggles, diamond shapes, lines, etc.
I used white paint for this which looked nice on these pastel colors. Choose the color you like that would look nice with your color combo.
And that's it, finished! Isn’t this abstract painting so easy and so cool looking?
Watch the Video
If you'd prefer to watch the heart painting take shape, check out the video on YouTube!
While you are there, like and subscribe for more craft tutorials for kids.
Art Project Tips
Here are a few tips and tricks to help your art project flow smoothly:
- Choosing Colors- Having trouble coming up with paint color combinations? Search “popular 6 color schemes” and select “images” to get ideas for color combination ideas!
- Hanging Your Artwork- Once your painting is fully dry, frame the paper, or hang your canvas as-is on a nail. Easy wall decorations for the win!
Easy Heart Painting Variations
- Choose a Background Color- You can paint your canvas white or a color before you start! Just be sure to let it fully dry before moving forward with your shape.
- Draw a Different Shape- A heart shape is what I show in this post, but you can draw any other shape that you would like. How about a star, or a such as a star for example.
- Use a Different Brush- Vary up your brush strokes to create unique patterns. If you chose to draw a different shape, this is a great time to switch up the pattern with your paintbrush too.
- Make a Card- This painting technique could be used for other projects as well. I am going to try doing this in a smaller size for some birthday cards or valentines drawings.
FAQ
This easy abstract heart painting is so simple and fun to create! Start with the free heart template to draw the shape onto your canvas, then add dots of paint. Use a paintbrush to create your desired design in the paint. Let the painting dry fully before displaying as a DIY decoration!
If you are looking for an easy but fun painting idea, try this abstract heart artwork! This technique uses brush strokes over dots of paint to fill in a shape (such as a heart) in a swirling design. All you need is some paint, a canvas and a brush and you'll have a unique piece of artwork, no matter your skill level.
More Painting Ideas for Kids!
Looking for more easy painting ideas for kids? Check out these art projects from around the blog:
- Tiny Canvas Painting Ideas
- Quick and Easy Face Painting Ideas for Kids
- Painting Rocks Found in their Pockets
- Cool Sharpie and Alcohol Painting on Canvas
Enjoy!
If you try this craft, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag a photo with #WelcometoNanas wherever you post.
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DIY Easy Abstract Heart Painting
Equipment
- Paint brushes
Items Required
Instructions
- You can choose to either use a heavy paper (multipurpose drawing/painting paper) or a craft canvas as a base for this project. I used an 8x10 inch canvas.
- I made a pattern for a heart shape that you can use on an 8x10-inch canvas or similar sized paper. Here is a link to the heart pattern for this craft.
- Download the pattern, cut out the shape, center it on the paper or canvas, and then draw around it lightly with pencil. Fold the heart in half and lightly draw a line down the center of the heart on your canvas.
- Chose several colors of your craft paint that you like together, maybe 5 or 6. Place random drops of color over the surface of the heart. This is directly from the bottle of craft paint. And I mean drops, not puddles of paint. Do this with all of your paint colors.
- Now take a flat paint brush (I like ½ inch wide) and start at the center line on the top of the heart and draw the paint brush around the edge of the heart, stopping when you get back to the center of the heart at the bottom. Wipe excess paint off the brush onto a paper towel before taking the next stroke.
- Take the next stroke beside the first stroke from top to bottom on one half of the heart. Wipe off your brush. Continue to do this until the whole half of the heart has been painted.
- Repeat this with the other side of the heart. Let the paint dry completely.
- When dry, come back and make some decorative brush strokes over the top. This can be anything you want- dots, squiggles, diamond shapes, lines, etc. I used white paint for this which looked nice on these pastel colors. Choose the color you like that would look nice with your color combo. Let dry.
- Isn't this cool???!!!
Video
This post was originally published in August 2022 and has been updated to add more relevant and detailed content.
Ll says
You forgot to tag ettavee!