How to reuse canvas panels for kids painting again and again

Did you know it is possible to wash and re-use canvas panels? If you use water-based washable paints you can simply wash off the original artwork and start again. Re-using canvas panels this way is especially good for kids paintings. Little eco has one panel she has painted three times.

An art canvas washed and ready to reuse

Did you know it is possible to wash and reuse canvas art panels? If you use water-based washable paints you can wash off the original artwork with soapy water. After rinsing the canvas is ready to reuse. 

Removing an old painting from canvas panel using warm soapy water

Removing an old painting from canvas panel

Little Eco has one large canvas that she has painted three times. Here it is above a few days ago being washed – and here it is a few years ago in the middle of a painting session.

Full body kids painting on canvas

It seems she likes full body painting today as much as she did then. 

Kids body painting on canvas using washable paints 1

Her most recent painting on this canvas started out tame. 

Kids body painting on canvas using washable paints 2

Kids body painting on canvas using washable paints 3

Kids body painting on canvas using washable paints 4

Kids body painting on canvas using washable paints 5

It quickly deteriorated into making face prints and full body painting. 

Kids body painting on canvas using washable paints 7

Kids body painting on canvas using washable paints 8

I really like the final product (bum print and all). It's now proudly hanging on the wall – although I'm certain within a year or so we'll be washing it yet again and creating something else. 

I'm sharing this and other ideas for making art outdoors over at Childhood 101 this week. 

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