On 14th January, we had a lovely time painting at the Flower Dome @ Gardens By the Bay. Organized together with THIRTYTWOCM, this was CARTWHEEL's first art workshop conducted in the gardens (technically still indoors) and for walk-in participants. Inspired by GARDENS BY THE BAY annual Chinese New Year floral display Dahlia Dreams, participants got to create a Dahlia Flower Card.
We explored creating a mixed media artwork
In this mixed media art activity, we explored creating a colourful blended background using scrape painting techniques with tempera paints. On this beautiful painted paper that we created, we painted a dahlia with sumi ink.
A Process Art Activity for All Ages
What moved me during the whole process was seeing people of all ages, from all walks of life, countries, coming together in one space to create art. There were grandparents bringing their grandchildren, a couple on a date, father and daughter one-on-one time outing, and so on. It was truly an art activity that is suitable for the whole family, all ages, children to seniors!
The beauty and safety of the gardens also played a part in inspiring us in the expression of our creativity. This is what process art is all about. Creating everyday, everywhere, just enjoying the process and exercising our creativity.
Learn to paint a Dahlia Flower Card at home
The painted dahlias were inspired by the ball and pompon dahlia types, you can try this out on your own with any kind of paint! I like sumi ink because it flows smoothly and it also dries fast. Kids think this looks very easy, adults think this looks very difficult. But it's all about exercising your creativity!
What do you need to paint a Dahlia Flower Card?
A5 cardstock / watercolour paper / drawing bloack paper
Tempera paints. I used the IKEA MALA Paints because I love how vibrant the colours pop.
A plastic scraper. You can simply use an old credit card or a dough cutter.
One small round tip paintbrush.
Sumi ink. I bought them at this link (amazon affiliate)
Dahlia Flower Drawing Guide (click here to download for free)
How to Paint a Dahlia Flower Card
This is an optional step, but before you begin, you can use masking tape to tape the edges of the paper to create a frame. Dot some paints over the card and then use the plastic scraper to scrape the paint from the top to the bottom. Follow the drawing guide, dip your paintbrush into the sumi ink and paint the dahlia on the painted paper. When you're done, gently remove the masking tape from the paper and you've a beautiful dahlia flower card!
You can also view the process in our video reels at our IG page:
Pom Pom Dahlia
Single Dahlia
Gather a friend or two over tea at the comfort of your home to make these Dahlia Flower Cards. They would make wonderful greeting cards for special ocassions! Tag us at @cartwheelssg or #cartwheelssg to show us your creations!
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