Play
“Play is the highest form of research” Albert Einstein
“Unless you change and become like little children,
you will not enter the kingdom of heaven”. Matthew 18:3
Why Play?
Learn how and why creative play can be a tool to help us open ourselves up to God and ease us into the creative process without fear or self criticism. What’s more it brings with it the promise of joy, peace and freedom. Do you dare to follow Jesus’ command and become like a little child in your art making today?
Playing with acrylic paint
Time to play! Grab two tubes of your favourite coloured paint and play along with me in this video. Learn about types of acrylic paint, how to mix colours and different ideas for mark making on your journal pages. Have fun!
Playing with watercolours and inks
If you own watercolour paints or inks, why no have a play with these too? Wonderful washes, drippage and splatters lay in store!
YOUR TURN: Pull out all the paints that you own, whether they be acrylic, watercolour, inks or poster paints from your children’s stash. Which colours are calling to you today? Choose a couple and start playing. Ask lots of “What if?” questions. Share your results on our Facebook group.
Playing with collage part 1
Collage is one of my favourite ways to play. There is something so relaxing about tearing up and sticking down little bits of paper. Before you know it you will be building up your collage stash.
Playing with collage part 2
Now you have gathered a lovely stash of interesting papers, textiles and other things, let’s add them to our journal! Learn about how to choose the right papers, how to arrange them and how to stick them down.
YOUR TURN: Play around adding some collage to different pages in your journal. What kind of papers feel good today? “Audition” them in bundles on your page before you commit to sticking them down.
Playing with stencils
Stencils introduce pattern and cohesion to a page. Learn what you can use to stencil with and even make your own masks and stencils.
Playing with printing
People have been printing since the beginning of time. Learn how to use stamps and found objects to add pattern and shapes to your work.
YOUR TURN: Go on a scavenger hunt around your home (don’t forget to check the recycling bin!). Can you find anything “holey” that would make a good stencil? What about an interesting texture you could print with? Have a play in your journal and share your results on our facebook group.
Playing with marks
Finally we look at mark making. The different ways that we apply our paint, ink or pencil to the paper can be very expressive and unique to us. Experimenting with different tools and ways of using them is fun and playful whilst making repetitive marks and doodles can be meditative and calming, helping us be still before God.