Pickled Pictures Art Activity

Make spectacular art from salad fixings.

Submitted by
Laura

Recycle tissue from gift bonanzas and dig out the gallon jug of vinegar to make "stained glass" prints prettier than you ever imagined something so crinkly and stinky could be for this art project.

White construction paper
Colored tissue paper:
Why not throw in scraps left over from the holidays or from birthday gift bags?
Scissors:
Kid-safe for them, quick-snipping for you.
White vinegar
Small bowls or cups:
Something that's not likely to tip.
A paintbrush

Smooth out the tissue paper and help your kid cut cool shapes out of it. To save time, you or an older sibling can pre-cut fun shapes. Or have the kids practice using scissors by cutting some of the shapes while you make quick work with your own tissue and scissors. Set the shapes aside.
Have your kid dip a paintbrush into the vinegar and start painting it all over the white construction paper in a thin layer. Avoid soaking the paper through (you'll know to start over because the paper will begin falling apart in chunks), but don't skimp either.
Get your kid to place the tissue paper shapes on the construction paper so that the vinegar makes them stick. Encourage her to make fun designs (overlap for more intersting pictures), a scene or just an abstract expression. (Hey, if it worked for Rothko, it'll work for your kid.)
Have your kid paint more vinegar over the tissue paper to make the paper totally wet.
To extend the project or vary it for children who need more challenge, design a theme or color for each artist. Or have each one create one part or scene from a story, then put them together like a book or mural.
Set the paper aside to dry. When the vinegar has dried and set, hold the paper up so the tissue falls off.
Color prints will remain, making (and marking) the paper resemble stained glass.