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Writer's pictureHalton Waldorf School

Why We Work With Wet-on-Wet Painting Starting in Early Childhood

Wet-on-wet painting is a cornerstone of Waldorf education, especially in early childhood, and the grades. It is deeply intertwined with the emotional landscape of the child as a sensory and imaginative experience.




Engaging the Senses

The tactile sensation of working with wet paint, combined with the blending of colours on the paper, engages the child's senses in a dynamic and immersive way as they feel the wet paint and smooth paper, fostering a tangible connection with the act of creation.


Experiencing Harmony

Wet-on-wet painting allows colours to blend and flow together seamlessly on a wet surface. This technique creates a softer and more harmonious effect, emphasizing the fluidity of the paint. This is especially valuable for expressing emotions, creating atmospheric scenes, and fostering a sense of interconnectedness in the artwork. The fluidity of the paint and the blending of colours also evokes a sense of, and is often guided with imagery of the natural world, connecting children with the beauty and harmony of their surroundings.


Nurturing Imagination, Creativity, and Mindfulness

Wet-on-wet painting serves as a canvas for boundless creativity as it is devoid of rigid instructions, and encourages free expression, allowing emotions to manifest in vibrant hues and gentle strokes. Colours bleed into one another, encouraging children to explore and discover unexpected patterns and shapes. This freedom supports creativity, allowing children to tap into their intuition and create unique compositions.


This approach recognizes that the artistic journey is as important as the final product, emphasizing the child's symbolic expression and personal connection to the artwork.

As children dip their brushes into watercolours and move them across the paper, they are not merely developing fine motor skills but also learning to focus and concentrate. The process becomes a meditative practice, fostering mindfulness as children immerse themselves in the present moment, translating their inner worlds onto the canvas.


Celebration of Individuality

Crucially, wet-on-wet painting fosters a non-competitive environment, where each brushstroke is a celebration of individuality. The emphasis on the feeling life of the child is evident as the process becomes a journey of self-discovery, offering a safe space for emotional expression without fear of judgment.


In essence, wet-on-wet painting in Waldorf education encapsulates a holistic approach that intertwines sensory exploration, imaginative expression, and emotional connection, laying the groundwork for a lifelong appreciation of art and self-discovery.

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