Saturday, April 22, 2017

8 Essential Tips for Teaching Painting from a Cart


You just found out that you will be teaching art from a cart next year. You may be wondering how you will be able to paint in classrooms without drying racks or sinks. Painting lessons can be a messy business. Nervous? Don’t be. You can do this!

Here are 8 essential tips for teaching painting from a cart.

1. Talk to the classroom teachers.

Explain your situation to the classroom teachers. Discuss ideas about how to approach painting in their classroom. They may have ideas and suggestions to help make it easier for you. For example, they may paint with their students and already have a system in place. If that is the case, you may want to use their system when working with their class.

Communicating will also help to build a relationship of collaboration. Remember, you are in their space when you teach their class. Ensuring that you are communicating from day one can help avoid tension later on.

2. Work small.

I love to make large paintings with my students. Although they are fun to make, large paper can be a challenge when teaching from a cart. With the limited space on the cart, as well as the absence of a drying rack, bigger paintings can be cumbersome. Cutting down the size of the paper can make everything a bit more manageable.

3. Use pan watercolors and tempera cakes.

Don’t get me wrong, I love liquid watercolors and wet tempera. When teaching from a cart, though, these materials can sometimes be too messy. Dry paints allow for easier portability, storage, and cleanup.

4. Use condiment cups for liquid paints.

If you must use wet paint, this little tip can be a lifesaver. Small condiment cups, when used with the matching tops, can cut the mess and stress of transporting paint on a cart. Another easy option is cups of paint in plastic storage bins.

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