Comb Painting

Materials: Comb/s, paint, paper

Ages: 2-6+

 I provided lines of different coloured paint on a plastic lid and let Maddie (3.5) loose on it. 

The stripes of the paint alone were so beautiful and we both marvelled at them and talked about them

We were a little disappointed that the same colours didn't translate onto the paper in the same way.

Seeing the pop of bright colours within the murky green was great though.

Never one to stick to provided materials, Maddie just had to try a multi-coloured handprint.

After smoothing the thick paint over the paper with her hand, using the comb over the top looked great!

Especially where she'd been painting earlier. The colours coming through from underneath really popped. Here it was all about lines.

She then realised she could use the comb to write with.

Swirls were the best, she declared.

Handy Hints:

- Simplify this activity by providing the set out invitation to explore and just let your child get creative.

- Extend this activity by focusing on the technique of painting with a comb and talk about the expectations before starting. Use this activity to help learn more about colour mixing, texture, patterns, letters, numbers etc.

- Mix it up by providing various different combs with teeth of different widths and lengths to compare the differences between the achieved styles

- Challenge your child to find as many different prints or strokes that they can make using the same comb

- Talk with your child about what they are experiencing and use new and descriptive language to help with their language development. eg. "See how the paint is raised here and flatter there? The comb is giving the paint a different texture"

- Ask your child questions to lead them to new findings or to help them clarify their own understanding. eg "Why do you think the paint is mainly a dark green colour now?" "That's interesting, I wonder why this paint sits on top like this and can be scraped away to show the paint underneath?"



- Remember that children need to create and explore, they don't need it to be a specific item at the end. Allow this and don't push them to think they must make something "real." Certainly with an activity such as this, the process is more important then the outcome.

Looking for more ways to paint?

Have a look at these fun ideas:

Painting with paper, foil and cellophane

Shower sponge painting

Painting pasta shells

PVA glue painting

3-Panel Painting

Happy playing,
Debs :)

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