Watercolor Heart Art Project For Kids

Learn a fun and easy technique to create watercolor hearts for kids’ painting activities! We love watercolor art projects for kids, and hearts are perfect for Valentine’s Day. Check out the supplies needed and step-by-step instructions to get started with this simple watercolor heart painting. Plus, find additional ideas to try!

How to Make a Watercolor Heart

Learn more about watercolor techniques that you can add to your next art lesson, we have many fun painting ideas!

Supplies:

Heart Template
Watercolor Paper (at least 100lb but preferably 140lb)
Scissors
Watercolors
Plastic Wrap (Cling Wrap)

TIP: You can make homemade watercolor paint here.

Instructions:

STEP 1: Print the heart template to use as a stencil or cut our your own heart from the watercolor paper.

TIP: Prime your watercolors first by spraying with water and allowing to sit for a minute or two!

STEP 2: Start painting your heart! You can wet the paper heart first and add color or add color to the dry paper. Feel free to mix colors.

TIP: Learn more about the color wheel and color mixing here.

STEP 3: As you paint, add crumpled pieces of plastic wrap in different directions and angles before the paint dries. Continue to cover the entire heart with paint and plastic wrap.

TIP: Paint a little then add a little plastic wrap, and continue!

STEP 4: Once the paint is dry, remove the plastic wrap to reveal fantastic texture!

Simple Watercolor Painting Techniques

Watercolor painting for kids is a delightful journey of exploration and creativity. Simple techniques, such as the wet-on-dry and wet-on-wet methods, empower young artists to express themselves with vivid colors and fluid strokes.

With the addition of playful approaches like salt textures and plastic cling wrap, watercolor painting becomes an artistic activity and a magical adventure in discovering the wonders of color blending and unique textures.

Implied Texture

This fun watercolor art technique allows your artists to evoke the feel of different surfaces on a plain, flat piece of paper! Think of the texture of bark on a tree or wispy clouds… these watercolor techniques are meant to recreate these feelings.

Wet-on-Dry Technique

Dip the paintbrush into water and then into the desired color. Apply the wet brush to the dry paper, allowing for precise strokes and defined edges. Experiment with different brush sizes to create various details and shapes.

Wet-on-Wet Technique

Wet the paper with clean water using a brush. Apply watercolor paint to the wet surface, allowing the colors to blend and flow seamlessly. This technique is great for creating soft gradients and dreamy, ethereal effects.

Salt Texture Technique

Apply watercolors to the paper. While the paint is still wet, sprinkle salt over the surface. Watch as the salt absorbs the water, creating unique textures and patterns.

Splattering Technique

Create additional texture by splattering tiny droplets of paint onto the paper. To do this, load a fine brush with paint, hold it above the paper, and tap the handle with your finger. This will create small, random speckles resembling textures.

Easy Watercolor Art Projects To Try

More Heart Art For Kids

Explore more Valentine’s Day art projects or try one of these heart theme art activities below.

Helpful Art Resources To Get You Started

Here are a few resources that will help you introduce art more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident yourself when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.

Printable Famous Artist Bundle

You’ll find each of our famous artists featured in our Famous Artists Project Pack 👇 including tons of fantastic resources!

This bundle includes a variety of art packs to cover different areas of the art experience! Perfect for ages 5-12, with various activities to suit all age levels. Easy to use in the home or classroom.

PACKS INCLUDE:

Famous Artists Project Pack with 25+ artists to explore past and present, including women, people of color, and indigenous peoples.
Artists Challenge Pack: Various extra art projects, including a museum scavenger hunt and extras.
7 Elements of Art Pack: Learn about and explore the 7 elements of art with handy information, tips, and fun projects to try.
Art and Playdough Pack: Make homemade playdough and use these art mats with kids of all ages featuring famous artists with simple information.
Art Techniques Pack: Learn watercolor, collage, and printmaking techniques for your art projects. Complete with information, tips, and activities to try!