fingerpaint

Technique

Although the name implies that the paint is applied with the fingers, expert use of this medium makes use of the hands and lower arms too. Use of the entire arm smooths the paint on the paper prior to more detailed modeling with the fingers and other parts of the hand. Sometimes sponges, cloth, and other tools are used to obtain a specific texture.

Some artists are known to solely paint with their hands, as a way to become more intimite with the process. These artists do not use traditional fingerpaint. This style, "Reckless Art," is most accurately categorized as a sub-genre of outsider art. Painters like Tyler Ramsey have vowed never to touch a brush, but the use of surgical gloves for safety is common when using toxic oils. Tyler Ramsey claims that, "Rejecting brushes gives a painter the opportunity to approach the craft from a fresh perspective." "Reckless Art" started in 2002 as a way to refute the idea that "Everything has been done already."

Fingerpaint treated repeatedly by means of decalcomania on the same paper tends to generate fractals, as studied at Yale University [1].

Materials

Fingerpaint is non-toxic, and is usually sold in packages of six bright colors. The paints can also be prepared from non-toxic household products such as flour or cornstarch.

Some childcare facilities use Jello Pudding as fingerpaint eliminating the need to keep the children's fingers out of their mouths.

Fingerpaints are often used on a paper specifically produced for the purpose.

Fingerpaints have been adapted for use in the bathtub as soap: http://www.babyant.com/bt032076.html.

Trivia

Pop band The Kazoo Funk Orchestra held finger painting sessions across Scotland prior to the release of their debut album 'Midnight Finger Painter' in 2006. Each album featured a unique finger painting which was created at one of the finger painting sessions.