Gnome Painting Step By Step for Kids and Adults

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Gnome Painting Step By Step for Kids and Adults

Looking for paint and sip ideas or something to do alone? Look no further. If you have been following my journey this holiday season then you are already aware of my new obsession.  I LOVE gnomes.  This step by step gnome painting was the first of many that I painted for gifts this year (and decorations around my home).  I used acrylic paints from DecoArt (even some METALLICS) and am excited to share the whole process with you in this easy and fun gnome painting step by step.

Supplies for Step By Step Gnome Painting and Set Up

To get started, prep your materials and work space.  I like to have all of my paints lined up and ready, my canvas prepped and my brushes handy.  It is a good idea to have a small cup of water and some paper towels in your work space too.  Just in case…  These are the colors I used in this painting.  I love love love the way the Dazzling Metallics added depth and texture to my art.

• • Black Americana Multi-Surface Black Tie (Hat)
  • Off White Americana Multi-Surface Cotton Ball (Hat Dots and Mixing All Over)
  • Brown Americana Multi-Surface Cocoa Bean (Mittens and Beard)
  • Beige Americana Warm Beige (Nose)
  • Red American Santa Red (Boots and Sleeves)
  • Dazzling Metalics Festive Red (Boots and Sleeves)
  • Dazzling Metalics Shimmering Silver (Boots, Sleeves and Beard)

Gnome Painting Step By Step with Kids!

Why Painting with Kids is a Good Idea

Painting with kids is so much more than a craft project or simple activity. It is a way for kids (of all ages really) do many very important things.  Here are some fabulous reasons to get kids painting.

1. It helps them convey ideas and share.
2. Painting gives kids an opportunity to express emotions — even ones that might be hiding deep inside.
3. It uses several senses to paint and through that kids make connections.
4. Exploring color, the process and the outcomes teaches cause and effect.
5. When kids made handmade masterpieces, it boosts confidence.

Preparation Steps for Painting with Kids

One of the biggest factors in creating successful paint crafts with kids lies in the prep. Here are four things you can do to prepare for a great time crafting.

1. Expect a little mess. Prep your area knowing that paint can spill, drip and splatter. Cover your work are with kraft paper before starting.
2. Provide aprons for the kids. If you don’t want to but them, they can wear old adult sized shirts as aprons.
3. Have paper towels nearby and ready if needed.
4. Know the dry time of the project before starting.  If there are several steps, there might be a dry time involved. Have a puzzle or activity on hand to do during that in between time. You can grab free ones here on the blog.

Steps to create this Gnome Painting:

Paint Hat.  Let Dry.

Paint Boots.   Mix reds and silver. Let Dry.

Add the beard.  I mixed Cocoa Bean, Slate Gray, Metallic Silver and White.

Add white dots to the hat.  Add a nose.  Add arms with the same colors as the boots if desired.  I added mittens too. Isn’t this gnome painting step by step so easy! One of the great things about this versatile art project is that it can be done in any color scheme. The gnome has completely endless possibilities.

If you want to add a background color, great!  I mixed white with a little tiny bit of brown and grey to do mine. Ta Da!

I did add a red heart to my gnome’s hat.  My word of the year for 2019 is LOVE and I am going to keep him up in my studio as a reminder.  Love always wins.  Always!

Wood Slice Gnome Painting Step By Step

For the wood slice gnome paintings, I did the first entire coats in metallic sliver and metallic red.  Then I painted the elves on top.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE them.  If I had a hundred slices, I would have painted a hundred elves that day!.  I ordered 48 slices and they are on the way!

This guy is my fave!

You can get these paints at your local craft store.  I recommend stocking up because once you get going, you will not want to stop!  If you are curious about the size of this canvas, it is 10 inches wide by 20 inches tall!

Cheers to Gnomes, to Painting and to Creating!  I hope that you found this step by step gnome painting tutorial helpful!

More Gnome Projects

Here is another adorable gnome project.  Get out your sewing machine and stitch up this gnome from an old sweatshirt or sweater!

This DIY Sock Gnome is really fun too.

Watercolor is such a fun way to create an adorable advent calendar.

Ten Reasons to Craft

I am going to say this again.  Crafting is just a great idea.  It is proven that crafting can be really good for mental and emotional health.  Studies show that making and crafting can lower anxiety.  Another benefit to crafting is that it creates connection.  When we make things and give them to others, we spread kindness and love.  Here are my top ten reasons to craft with kids, and I mean kids of all ages.

1. Mental Health Benefits – Crafting puts me in a good mood.
2. Self Expression – Crafting allows me to express myself.
3. Education and Growth – I learn new skills by making things.
4. Connection – Crafting connects me others through workshops, classes and gifting.
5. Decor – Through making and crafting, I can totally customize every aspect of my decor.
6. Gift Giving – Gifts is totally my love language.  I love to make handmade gifts.
7. Offline Time – Crafting keeps me off of my phone and social media. We all know this can be beneficial.
8. Income – Because I craft and sell items that I make, I have an additional income source.
9. Fun – I like to have fun and to me, making things is fun.
10. Socializing – Attending events where crafting is a part gets me out and around others with like minds.

Cheers to GNOME Painting step by step instructions!

XO,

Laura

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