Since the beginning of the year, my now 2.5 year old grandson Hudson has painted pictures at my house. He begs to paint every time he comes. And I love sharing his beautiful paintings.

This is his latest, one he painted on a gessoed art paper I had already penciled a design on.

He usually paints for someone else, but this time when I asked him if I could have it, he waffled and then finally withdrew it from my fingers and said he wanted to keep it. So I let it go. Sadly because I had this brain storm of collaging with his art.

Here’s the thing. I’m very proud of his work. He’s focused and determined. I love watching him make artistic decisions. He likes to mix paint colors to create new colors. I never let him have more than 3 or 4 at a time, but he figured out a work-around. A lot of friends have commented what a talented artist he is.

I have a theory, though. I do think he has a good eye for design, both color and composition. But I think most kids would be good at it if they had such great materials to work with. Because the materials are so superior to water colors and crayons, coloring books and cheap paper all marketed for childen, I think the end product is so pleasing that the child really appreciates what they have made.

Hudson uses my acrylic paint tubes and either my art paper or pre-prepared canvases. The cost for 8 canvases is about $22 or $2.75 each.

PURCHASE CANVASES AT AMAZON

Brushes can be purchased in a bag, very in expensive. I use whatever is old, one that I might not want to use again. My MIL was a wonderful artist. She used the best brushes. No need for Hudson and Grandma. He also uses a bit of sponge, a baby wipe, anything that spreads the paint.

The paints are very inexpensive since I already have them, but you can get 3 paint colors for a total of about $18 very easily, and these paints will last a very long time. And then use a paper plate for a palette. An old sheet to put down. And an old shirt on the child. Or this smock that I purchased at $8 for two:

PURCHASE 2 CHILD SMOCKS

When Hudson is done painting, I throw the paper plate away and toss the sheet and smock into the washing machine. Then Hudson and I clean up together with soap and water.

I put the painting up high to dry, and he likes to point at it later and explain to me that his painting is drying hah.

So what does it really take to make this art happen? 100% of my attention through the whole 20 minute project.