Art and Craft — Drawing: Painting

Subtopic: Painting
For learners: Age 8 (Kenya)

What is painting?

Painting is putting colour on paper, card or cloth to make pictures. You can use a brush, your fingers or a sponge. Painting helps us show things we see or imagine: animals, trees, hills, and flags.

Materials (what you need)

• Paints (watercolours, poster paints or finger paints) — safe and non-toxic
• Paintbrushes (small and big)
• Paper or card
• Water cup and a rag / old cloth
• Palette or small plate to mix colours
• Apron or old shirt to protect clothes

Safety and tidy-up

• Wear an apron. Paint can stain clothes.
• Use only paints that say "non-toxic".
• Wash hands with soap and water after painting.
• Clean brushes in water and put leftover paint away.

Easy steps to paint (follow along)

1. Set up your table: paper, paints, water and rag.
2. Choose what to paint (e.g., a sun, an acacia tree, or the Kenyan flag).
3. Draw light pencil shapes first (a circle for the sun, lines for tree).
4. Paint the background first (sky or ground), let it dry a little.
5. Paint the main shapes (tree trunk, leaves, animals).
6. Add small details with a small brush (eyes, branches).
7. Let your painting dry, then show it with pride!

Simple painting tips

• Hold the brush near the middle for control.
• Use gentle, short strokes for details.
• Use more water for light colours and less water for bright colours.
• Try mixing two colours to make a new one.

Colour mixing (fun experiment)

Mix paint on a palette or plate. Try these:

Simple Kenyan painting ideas

• Paint the Kenyan flag: black, white-edged red, green, and a Maasai shield (use simple shapes).
• Paint Mount Kenya with a bright sun and acacia trees in the foreground.
• Paint an elephant or giraffe with big shapes and simple spots.
• Paint your village home, the school, or a market scene.

Quick step: Draw a simple sun (try now!)

You can paint this with just yellow and orange:

Practice activity (15–20 minutes)

1. Put on your apron and set up paints and water.
2. Draw a big circle for the sun and a flat line for the ground.
3. Paint the sky blue and the ground green or brown.
4. Paint the sun yellow and add orange rays.
5. Paint a simple acacia tree: brown trunk and green round leaves.
6. Write your name and the date on the corner.

Short questions to try

1. Name two safe things you must use when painting.
2. Which two colours make green?
3. Draw and paint the Kenyan flag. What colours did you use?

(Teacher note: Use local examples like acacia trees, Mount Kenya and familiar animals to make lessons relatable.)