I recently included a Kandinsky quote and painting in my weekly email newsletter (the newsletter goes out every Friday). It sent me down a bit of a Kandinsky rabbit hole. I stumbled onto a German website that I believe is for elementary school teachers. They had a fascinating lesson suggestion that I had to try for myself.
STEP ONE – Laminate a design of colored tissue paper and black construction paper pieces. No need to fill the whole lamination pouch. Think about design.
I used black tar paper for some of these, but it was too dimensional, so I ended up switching to black tissue paper.
STEP TWO – Laminate a design of just colored tissue paper. Try to fill the whole pouch. Think of it as a background.
STEP THREE – Layer the two together. If you wish, hold them up to a window or other light source for a slightly different look.
It gets really fun when you make a bunch of "step ones" and "step twos" and then mix and match them. I made 3 "step ones" and 3 "step twos."
Here are a few of my favorite combos:
I had a great time with this exercise. I recognize that I'm a maximalist, but this exercise confirmed for me the fact that more layers are more interesting.
Now why would a grown-up artist be interested in this exercise? Well, take a peek at what a difference the background can make:
And sometimes it's not even the colors in the background, it's the placement of the colors in relationship to each other — the two on the left are very similar in coloring…
…but also very different in how they interact with the foreground. I'm definitely going to be thinking about that the next time I sit down to paint.
And one of the nice things about the clear lamination pouch is that you can flip everything all around for lots of variety.
I think this exercise is one that you could do quite often and learn something new about design every single time. What do you think?
Thanks for stopping by!
This is FABULOUS!!! Don’t have the equipment to do laminating though, so I’m going to have to MacGyver something…
This is FABULOUS!!! Don’t have the equipment to do laminating though, so I’m going to have to MacGyver something…
This is FABULOUS!!! Don’t have the equipment to do laminating though, so I’m going to have to MacGyver something…
This is FABULOUS!!! Don’t have the equipment to do laminating though, so I’m going to have to MacGyver something…
This is FABULOUS!!! Don’t have the equipment to do laminating though, so I’m going to have to MacGyver something…
This is FABULOUS!!! Don’t have the equipment to do laminating though, so I’m going to have to MacGyver something…
This is FABULOUS!!! Don’t have the equipment to do laminating though, so I’m going to have to MacGyver something…
Hey Sue– I was thinking the same thing but a quick Google search revealed this site:
https://www.mybinding.com/knowledge-base/pouch-lamination/can-i-laminate-documents-without-a-laminator.html
AND– within a 24-hr period, whatever you put down can be repositioned! Win-Win!
I have been working on fabric designs and this is a super way to play with repeat patterns/backgrounds– thanks Julie for this fabulous idea!
Enjoy!
Hey Sue– I was thinking the same thing but a quick Google search revealed this site:
https://www.mybinding.com/knowledge-base/pouch-lamination/can-i-laminate-documents-without-a-laminator.html
AND– within a 24-hr period, whatever you put down can be repositioned! Win-Win!
I have been working on fabric designs and this is a super way to play with repeat patterns/backgrounds– thanks Julie for this fabulous idea!
Enjoy!
Hey Sue– I was thinking the same thing but a quick Google search revealed this site:
https://www.mybinding.com/knowledge-base/pouch-lamination/can-i-laminate-documents-without-a-laminator.html
AND– within a 24-hr period, whatever you put down can be repositioned! Win-Win!
I have been working on fabric designs and this is a super way to play with repeat patterns/backgrounds– thanks Julie for this fabulous idea!
Enjoy!
Hey Sue– I was thinking the same thing but a quick Google search revealed this site:
https://www.mybinding.com/knowledge-base/pouch-lamination/can-i-laminate-documents-without-a-laminator.html
AND– within a 24-hr period, whatever you put down can be repositioned! Win-Win!
I have been working on fabric designs and this is a super way to play with repeat patterns/backgrounds– thanks Julie for this fabulous idea!
Enjoy!
Hey Sue– I was thinking the same thing but a quick Google search revealed this site:
https://www.mybinding.com/knowledge-base/pouch-lamination/can-i-laminate-documents-without-a-laminator.html
AND– within a 24-hr period, whatever you put down can be repositioned! Win-Win!
I have been working on fabric designs and this is a super way to play with repeat patterns/backgrounds– thanks Julie for this fabulous idea!
Enjoy!
Hey Sue– I was thinking the same thing but a quick Google search revealed this site:
https://www.mybinding.com/knowledge-base/pouch-lamination/can-i-laminate-documents-without-a-laminator.html
AND– within a 24-hr period, whatever you put down can be repositioned! Win-Win!
I have been working on fabric designs and this is a super way to play with repeat patterns/backgrounds– thanks Julie for this fabulous idea!
Enjoy!
Hey Sue– I was thinking the same thing but a quick Google search revealed this site:
https://www.mybinding.com/knowledge-base/pouch-lamination/can-i-laminate-documents-without-a-laminator.html
AND– within a 24-hr period, whatever you put down can be repositioned! Win-Win!
I have been working on fabric designs and this is a super way to play with repeat patterns/backgrounds– thanks Julie for this fabulous idea!
Enjoy!
A brilliant idea not only for adults but for children as well. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing find. I am so impressed with your research skills!!! This is great for Art Masterpiece classes that volunteers like myself offer in schools as an extra curricular in schools with little or no art. You are amazing. So grateful for all that you share and teach!!
A brilliant idea not only for adults but for children as well. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing find. I am so impressed with your research skills!!! This is great for Art Masterpiece classes that volunteers like myself offer in schools as an extra curricular in schools with little or no art. You are amazing. So grateful for all that you share and teach!!
A brilliant idea not only for adults but for children as well. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing find. I am so impressed with your research skills!!! This is great for Art Masterpiece classes that volunteers like myself offer in schools as an extra curricular in schools with little or no art. You are amazing. So grateful for all that you share and teach!!
A brilliant idea not only for adults but for children as well. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing find. I am so impressed with your research skills!!! This is great for Art Masterpiece classes that volunteers like myself offer in schools as an extra curricular in schools with little or no art. You are amazing. So grateful for all that you share and teach!!
A brilliant idea not only for adults but for children as well. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing find. I am so impressed with your research skills!!! This is great for Art Masterpiece classes that volunteers like myself offer in schools as an extra curricular in schools with little or no art. You are amazing. So grateful for all that you share and teach!!
A brilliant idea not only for adults but for children as well. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing find. I am so impressed with your research skills!!! This is great for Art Masterpiece classes that volunteers like myself offer in schools as an extra curricular in schools with little or no art. You are amazing. So grateful for all that you share and teach!!
A brilliant idea not only for adults but for children as well. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing find. I am so impressed with your research skills!!! This is great for Art Masterpiece classes that volunteers like myself offer in schools as an extra curricular in schools with little or no art. You are amazing. So grateful for all that you share and teach!!
I don’t have a laminator either but I seem to remember elementary teachers sandwiching colored pieces of paper between sheets of waxed paper and ironing it (with a pressing cloth of course). Maybe not completely clear but could have a similar effect.
I don’t have a laminator either but I seem to remember elementary teachers sandwiching colored pieces of paper between sheets of waxed paper and ironing it (with a pressing cloth of course). Maybe not completely clear but could have a similar effect.
I don’t have a laminator either but I seem to remember elementary teachers sandwiching colored pieces of paper between sheets of waxed paper and ironing it (with a pressing cloth of course). Maybe not completely clear but could have a similar effect.
I don’t have a laminator either but I seem to remember elementary teachers sandwiching colored pieces of paper between sheets of waxed paper and ironing it (with a pressing cloth of course). Maybe not completely clear but could have a similar effect.
I don’t have a laminator either but I seem to remember elementary teachers sandwiching colored pieces of paper between sheets of waxed paper and ironing it (with a pressing cloth of course). Maybe not completely clear but could have a similar effect.
I don’t have a laminator either but I seem to remember elementary teachers sandwiching colored pieces of paper between sheets of waxed paper and ironing it (with a pressing cloth of course). Maybe not completely clear but could have a similar effect.
I don’t have a laminator either but I seem to remember elementary teachers sandwiching colored pieces of paper between sheets of waxed paper and ironing it (with a pressing cloth of course). Maybe not completely clear but could have a similar effect.
Terrific! Thank you!
Terrific! Thank you!
Terrific! Thank you!
Terrific! Thank you!
Terrific! Thank you!
Terrific! Thank you!
Terrific! Thank you!
I have used adhesive-backed laminating sheets before: https://amzn.to/2VZ1odf They’re easy and require no laminator.
I have used adhesive-backed laminating sheets before: https://amzn.to/2VZ1odf They’re easy and require no laminator.
I have used adhesive-backed laminating sheets before: https://amzn.to/2VZ1odf They’re easy and require no laminator.
I have used adhesive-backed laminating sheets before: https://amzn.to/2VZ1odf They’re easy and require no laminator.
I have used adhesive-backed laminating sheets before: https://amzn.to/2VZ1odf They’re easy and require no laminator.
I have used adhesive-backed laminating sheets before: https://amzn.to/2VZ1odf They’re easy and require no laminator.
I have used adhesive-backed laminating sheets before: https://amzn.to/2VZ1odf They’re easy and require no laminator.
I definitely think that would work!
I definitely think that would work!
I definitely think that would work!
I definitely think that would work!
I definitely think that would work!
I definitely think that would work!
I definitely think that would work!
So glad you enjoyed the post!
So glad you enjoyed the post!
So glad you enjoyed the post!
So glad you enjoyed the post!
So glad you enjoyed the post!
So glad you enjoyed the post!
So glad you enjoyed the post!
Love it! Thanks for the inspiration. I’m a retired art teacher and wish I’d learned about this before!
Love it! Thanks for the inspiration. I’m a retired art teacher and wish I’d learned about this before!
Love it! Thanks for the inspiration. I’m a retired art teacher and wish I’d learned about this before!
Love it! Thanks for the inspiration. I’m a retired art teacher and wish I’d learned about this before!
Love it! Thanks for the inspiration. I’m a retired art teacher and wish I’d learned about this before!
Love it! Thanks for the inspiration. I’m a retired art teacher and wish I’d learned about this before!
Love it! Thanks for the inspiration. I’m a retired art teacher and wish I’d learned about this before!
This was such an awesome lesson Julie! Thanks for doing it and sharing. Another idea for those who do not have a laminator is to use clear pieces of contact paper. You can buy a roll and cut it into the size you want to work with. We do this for “stained glass” projects with preschool students and it works great. Think before you put the tissue on the contact paper as it is NOT moveable once on the sheet.
This was such an awesome lesson Julie! Thanks for doing it and sharing. Another idea for those who do not have a laminator is to use clear pieces of contact paper. You can buy a roll and cut it into the size you want to work with. We do this for “stained glass” projects with preschool students and it works great. Think before you put the tissue on the contact paper as it is NOT moveable once on the sheet.
This was such an awesome lesson Julie! Thanks for doing it and sharing. Another idea for those who do not have a laminator is to use clear pieces of contact paper. You can buy a roll and cut it into the size you want to work with. We do this for “stained glass” projects with preschool students and it works great. Think before you put the tissue on the contact paper as it is NOT moveable once on the sheet.
This was such an awesome lesson Julie! Thanks for doing it and sharing. Another idea for those who do not have a laminator is to use clear pieces of contact paper. You can buy a roll and cut it into the size you want to work with. We do this for “stained glass” projects with preschool students and it works great. Think before you put the tissue on the contact paper as it is NOT moveable once on the sheet.
This was such an awesome lesson Julie! Thanks for doing it and sharing. Another idea for those who do not have a laminator is to use clear pieces of contact paper. You can buy a roll and cut it into the size you want to work with. We do this for “stained glass” projects with preschool students and it works great. Think before you put the tissue on the contact paper as it is NOT moveable once on the sheet.
This was such an awesome lesson Julie! Thanks for doing it and sharing. Another idea for those who do not have a laminator is to use clear pieces of contact paper. You can buy a roll and cut it into the size you want to work with. We do this for “stained glass” projects with preschool students and it works great. Think before you put the tissue on the contact paper as it is NOT moveable once on the sheet.
This was such an awesome lesson Julie! Thanks for doing it and sharing. Another idea for those who do not have a laminator is to use clear pieces of contact paper. You can buy a roll and cut it into the size you want to work with. We do this for “stained glass” projects with preschool students and it works great. Think before you put the tissue on the contact paper as it is NOT moveable once on the sheet.
Im so glad you enjoyed it!
Im so glad you enjoyed it!
Im so glad you enjoyed it!
Im so glad you enjoyed it!
Im so glad you enjoyed it!
Im so glad you enjoyed it!
Im so glad you enjoyed it!
Great solution!
Great solution!
Great solution!
Great solution!
Great solution!
Great solution!
Great solution!
Such a brilliant strategy!! I’m sure I’ve learned more from you than from anyone else. Thanks for challenging us to make our own discoveries.
Such a brilliant strategy!! I’m sure I’ve learned more from you than from anyone else. Thanks for challenging us to make our own discoveries.
Such a brilliant strategy!! I’m sure I’ve learned more from you than from anyone else. Thanks for challenging us to make our own discoveries.
Such a brilliant strategy!! I’m sure I’ve learned more from you than from anyone else. Thanks for challenging us to make our own discoveries.
Such a brilliant strategy!! I’m sure I’ve learned more from you than from anyone else. Thanks for challenging us to make our own discoveries.
Such a brilliant strategy!! I’m sure I’ve learned more from you than from anyone else. Thanks for challenging us to make our own discoveries.
Such a brilliant strategy!! I’m sure I’ve learned more from you than from anyone else. Thanks for challenging us to make our own discoveries.
On it – thank you!
On it – thank you!
On it – thank you!
On it – thank you!
On it – thank you!
On it – thank you!
On it – thank you!
(*sound of palm slapping forehead*) Brilliant!
(*sound of palm slapping forehead*) Brilliant!
(*sound of palm slapping forehead*) Brilliant!
(*sound of palm slapping forehead*) Brilliant!
(*sound of palm slapping forehead*) Brilliant!
(*sound of palm slapping forehead*) Brilliant!
(*sound of palm slapping forehead*) Brilliant!
What a lovely compliment! Thanks!
What a lovely compliment! Thanks!
What a lovely compliment! Thanks!
What a lovely compliment! Thanks!
What a lovely compliment! Thanks!
What a lovely compliment! Thanks!
What a lovely compliment! Thanks!
Yep, agree with all the posts. This is one of those “art” projects that takes everyday colored papers and transforms the end result into something that changes depending on the color combination and the design. Brilliant. Love how you just jump into these rabbit holes, Julie!
Yep, agree with all the posts. This is one of those “art” projects that takes everyday colored papers and transforms the end result into something that changes depending on the color combination and the design. Brilliant. Love how you just jump into these rabbit holes, Julie!
Yep, agree with all the posts. This is one of those “art” projects that takes everyday colored papers and transforms the end result into something that changes depending on the color combination and the design. Brilliant. Love how you just jump into these rabbit holes, Julie!
Yep, agree with all the posts. This is one of those “art” projects that takes everyday colored papers and transforms the end result into something that changes depending on the color combination and the design. Brilliant. Love how you just jump into these rabbit holes, Julie!
Yep, agree with all the posts. This is one of those “art” projects that takes everyday colored papers and transforms the end result into something that changes depending on the color combination and the design. Brilliant. Love how you just jump into these rabbit holes, Julie!
Yep, agree with all the posts. This is one of those “art” projects that takes everyday colored papers and transforms the end result into something that changes depending on the color combination and the design. Brilliant. Love how you just jump into these rabbit holes, Julie!
Yep, agree with all the posts. This is one of those “art” projects that takes everyday colored papers and transforms the end result into something that changes depending on the color combination and the design. Brilliant. Love how you just jump into these rabbit holes, Julie!
Lots to play with there, interestingly I liked your fav colour choices best too.
Lots to play with there, interestingly I liked your fav colour choices best too.
Lots to play with there, interestingly I liked your fav colour choices best too.
Lots to play with there, interestingly I liked your fav colour choices best too.
Lots to play with there, interestingly I liked your fav colour choices best too.
Lots to play with there, interestingly I liked your fav colour choices best too.
Lots to play with there, interestingly I liked your fav colour choices best too.
I know what our next homeschooling art project is!!
I know what our next homeschooling art project is!!
I know what our next homeschooling art project is!!
I know what our next homeschooling art project is!!
I know what our next homeschooling art project is!!
I know what our next homeschooling art project is!!
I know what our next homeschooling art project is!!
Ditto!
Ditto!
Ditto!
Ditto!
Ditto!
Ditto!
Ditto!