In this easy acrylic painting lesson for beginners we will show you how to draw a camera.
This tutorial is suitable for both kids and adults and is one of the easiest painting projects you can do (it’s a great introduction to the wonderful world of painting).
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Canvas paintings are a great way for adults or children to combine drawing and painting skills. They allow you to be creative and make the painting your own, even if you are working with a group.
There’s something really cool about having multiple people paint something together, then seeing the final result, and how each person adds their own personal touch to the piece, as well as their color choices.
Cameras are a recognizable topic that everyone can recognize, at least to some extent… even for young people, they only see phone cameras!
If you are doing this lesson at home, with just one or two children, I would recommend not buying too many paint colors, perhaps even choosing them in advance, unless you already have paint. If you are teaching a group, you will want to have a wide selection, and if nothing else, black, white, and primary colors so you can mix them to make other colors.
How to paint a camera
What you will need:
- 12” x 16” canvas
- Pencil, ruler and eraser
- Tissue
- Color palette or paper plate
- Acrylic paint in selected color
- Glass of water
- Paint brushes come in a variety of sizes, from about 1 inch to small for detail painting.
- Easel if you like
Instruct
I recommend putting down a disposable tablecloth to protect the surface first and then throwing it away, or when the cloth gets old if you do a lot of art projects.
If you’re asking people to draw their own cameras, wait until you have your easel and water ready, etc. If you’re like me and teaching a small group, I’ll draw the image first on canvas so the kids can just color without having to sketch, so that part is optional.
Step by step guide to drawing with camera
When I teach canvas painting, I always give students black and white, so that even if they don’t use it directly, they can still learn how to shade and blend with these two colors, and use white to create small highlights, which makes a big difference in the painting.
For this camera I also colored the lens area gray, but you could also mix black and white for that part.
Each person will choose a color for the center area of the camera – where I put the stripes, and it can be one or two colors, depending on the child. Some children will add multiple colors, but I will start with just two.
Then, also the background choice. Make it a color that contrasts well with your other color choices so it really pops when you paint it.
Camera paint
Now you are ready to draw!
Using a ruler, create a large rectangle in the middle of the canvas, but leave a little more room at the top of the canvas than at the bottom so you can add the camera buttons and viewfinder. Then go back and add a few buttons and a corner piece at the top for the viewfinder.
For the lens, draw a circle in the center right of the camera and then draw another circle just inside the first circle so it has an edge. If you want, use a compass or use a small bowl or plate to draw around it so you get a perfect circle.
Then take a ruler and draw a section next to the lens on both sides by adding lines from the lens out to the edge of the camera at the top and bottom (see photo) and draw a few small circles on the top front of the camera for the lens/buttons to add some interest.
If you’re making multiple paintings like this, use transfer paper and stencils to make a tampered copy, then transfer to other canvases if you need to save time and want them all to be the same size.
Start drawing
Start by painting the background color. Then, use a large brush to paint the entire thing. Make sure to paint the outer edges of the fabric as well.
Another coat may be needed, but let it dry a bit and handle the camera during that time, then you’ll be able to really tell if it just needs a touch-up or a full coat. If you see any white canvas sticking out, be sure to cover it up.
For the camera, outline the outer edge of the camera in black with a thin brush so that the border between the camera and the background is separated.
Next, sketch out the lenses and the middle section. This can be confusing when you first start drawing if you don’t have lines to help you keep it in place.
Some kids I teach don’t do this part and end up blacking out areas where they could add color and they get frustrated. Show them the sketched photo if it helps. I leave the photo on my laptop while we do it so they have an example unless I color it too.
Next, paint the camera part black. This part needs two coats to get a nice black color, so if you do one of these, then go back to the second base coat while it dries, it should work.
Once you have completed both the base coat and the black coat on the camera, you can paint the middle part of the camera in any style you choose.
If you are doing stripes, you may want to trace them in pencil first. Same with any pattern, just make sure it fits.
Now paint that section. If you need a coat to dry a bit before applying the next coat, paint the lens grey in the meantime.
The final part to complete the camera is the lens which is dark grey, along with white accents or if you want add a heart like I did.
Also add anything else to the middle for finishing, then create highlights in the top corners of the camera, along with the top edges and a little above the lens. This helps the camera look more 3-D and not so flat.
You can also add one to the bottom corner if you want. They can be gray or white, or a combination of both.
Now check everything, including all the outer edges – Don’t forget the bottom! Add any highlights and then let dry.
Enjoy drawing or teaching it and make it your hobby!
Children’s Camera Canvas Painting
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Categories: Activities for Kids
Source: fetb.edu.vn