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March 11, 2011

Credit Card Art

Process art using Credit cards

We have a number of plastic cards floating around our house.  My kids love collecting hotel key cards and used gift cards.  I was starting to weed through their growing collection, when I remembered one of my favorite painting assignments.  It was a creative painting project where we were encouraged to use common items to explore paint.  I’m sure you know where I am going with this…creating Credit Card Art.  I love the effect that the scraping creates and the layers of colors that can be achieved.

Painting with Credit Cards ~ beautiful process art

Painting Rainbows without Brushes

The kids were excited to begin and asked if they could paint with all the rainbow colors.  It’s almost Saint Patrick’s Day so the perfect time to paint rainbows.  The girls did voice their concern for the coveted plastic cards, and wanted to make sure that they would look clean and paint free when we were done.  After I assured them that no harm would come to the cards, they were ready to begin.  Who knew that plastic was so treasured!

Painting with Credit Cards ~ rainbow paint colors

Credit Card Painting Supplies:

  • Acrylic paint
  • Plastic Cards ~ old gift cards, hotel keys, store loyalty cards etc.  You could also use any straight edge, even cardboard works great.
  • primed cardboard or other painting surface

Painting with Credit Cards ~ beautiful process art

Painting with Credit Cards

The girls dipped their credit card in the paint and then proceeded to drag/scrape it across their paper.  The process is so simple, and the kids loved it.

Painting with Credit Cards ~ beautiful process art

I love how these turned out.   I’m sure that we will be revisiting this again soon if I’m allowed to borrow their plastic again!

Painting with Credit Cards ~ beautiful process art

Looking for more Process Art Activities?  Check out our:

Painting on Wet Glue

Compass Painting

Rainbow Q-tip Painting

Microwave Puffy Paint

Related posts:

  1. Painting with Flowers
  2. 20 St Patricks Day Crafts for Kids
  3. Easter Stained Glass Art
  4. Stained Glass Shamrock Craft
Posted in Holidays, Kid Art and tagged Cards, Cereal Boxes, Kid Art, Painting, Rainbow, St. Patrick's Day.

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Related posts:

  1. Painting with Flowers
  2. 20 St Patricks Day Crafts for Kids
  3. Easter Stained Glass Art
  4. Stained Glass Shamrock Craft
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34 thoughts on “Credit Card Art”

  1. Debbie on March 11, 2011 at 10:08 pm said:

    Brilliant idea! I teach art to pre-schoolers during the summer and we are always exploring different things to use as our “brush.” Love this idea. So will my little artists! I am visiting via The Chocolate Muffin Tree.
    I also publish an online women’s magazine with my best friend called Mermaids of the Lake. Will go look for you on FB now.

    Reply ↓
    • Tammy on March 11, 2011 at 10:21 pm said:

      Thanks for stopping by. I love exploring different way to paint, and seeing what kids come up with. I don’t have a FB page yet but maybe soon.

      Reply ↓
  2. Rachele on March 11, 2011 at 10:57 pm said:

    I love finding new ways to paint without using a brush. This is a great one and with the rainbow colors it’s so beautiful.

    Reply ↓
  3. Rachel on March 14, 2011 at 3:17 am said:

    Kids would love this one. I’ve never met a kid that doesn’t like to play with paint! How fun!

    Thanks for sharing at the For the Kids Friday Link Party! I look forward to having you back this Friday!

    Reply ↓
    • Tammy on March 14, 2011 at 3:31 am said:

      I love your Link Parties! Thanks for hosting.

      Reply ↓
  4. cathy@nurturestore on March 15, 2011 at 6:28 pm said:

    Wow! What a fantastic effect. We’ve never tried this before, can’t wait to give it a go. Thanks for linking up with the Play Academy. 🙂

    Reply ↓
    • Tammy on March 17, 2011 at 2:22 am said:

      It was so fun. We will be revisiting this technique again soon.

      Reply ↓
  5. Stacey on March 16, 2011 at 11:55 pm said:

    So pretty! Love this idea, it would definitely be a hit in our house!

    Reply ↓
    • Tammy on March 17, 2011 at 2:24 am said:

      This was such a fun project and the end result looks is wonderful. Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply ↓
  6. Laura@art4littlehands on September 16, 2011 at 2:19 pm said:

    I love this idea. It is really pretty in the end.

    Reply ↓
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  8. Tammy on December 5, 2011 at 5:56 am said:

    Great idea! I think I’ll also have to try thwapping the paint with the plastic card to see how it splatters. 😀

    Reply ↓
  9. Cynthia D. on December 5, 2011 at 9:48 pm said:

    I’m writing an article about credit card crafts, and I’m hoping to get in touch with you re: permission to use one of your photos of your credit card art. I would credit your site, of course. Please let me know if this is possible! Thanks.

    Reply ↓
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  11. Rachel on February 24, 2012 at 8:42 pm said:

    What did you use to prime the cereal boxes that made it shiny and slick?

    Reply ↓
    • Tammy on February 24, 2012 at 9:31 pm said:

      I just used regular house wall primer because that it was we had on hand. It was Kilz brand. I am sure that any paint/primer would work since you just need to cover up the cereal box logos.

      Reply ↓
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  13. Kevin Williams on April 18, 2012 at 1:18 pm said:

    This is “wicked cool” we are so doing this tomorrow!!!

    Reply ↓
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  17. Rayna on September 11, 2012 at 8:08 pm said:

    what kind of paint – acrylic or tempera? Thanks.

    Reply ↓
    • Tammy on September 13, 2012 at 10:34 pm said:

      We used acrylic, but tempera works just as well. Let me know if you have another questions.

      Reply ↓
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  22. Becky on March 11, 2013 at 9:04 pm said:

    Did you get paint on the cards, like using them as a paintbrush, or did you plop the paint and just spread it with the cards?

    Reply ↓
  23. vanessa on March 26, 2013 at 6:09 pm said:

    tried this today but it didn’t look as good. I think because I put blobs all at same time and I used a canvas. Tonight, in the playroom, I will do pain blobs one at a time so all colors dont blend to brown! cool idea!!

    Reply ↓
    • Tammy on March 26, 2013 at 10:21 pm said:

      Glad you enjoyed the process! By just adding 1 or 2 colors at a time you should avoid the “muddy” colors.

      Reply ↓
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  25. Tammy on September 8, 2013 at 3:47 pm said:

    I tried this with a Special Needs class and it was a real hit! I gessoed heavy cardboard first and went around the group adding one color to their paper at a time so they could focus completely on each and the changes as they crossed. In a follow-up session we dipped plastic cups into darker acrylic paint and layed circles over the credit card art to give it a more rhythmic feel. Thanks for the great idea!!

    Reply ↓
  26. Brooke (siayla) on February 21, 2014 at 7:40 am said:

    I LoVe the looks of these paintings. They are simple beautiful. I shared thie idea and I think another idea of yours too just to let you know.

    Reply ↓
  27. Angelina on February 26, 2014 at 9:35 pm said:

    Love this! Simple, effective and beautiful! Thanks for the fantastic ideas on your site! Pin time!

    Reply ↓

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