Thumbprints are unique and personalize art.
Making a work of art by using your thumbprint is unique and exclusive. No one else will ever be able to duplicate or copy your work of art. It's fun for any age and connects you with the creative process of making art. Since the main tool for making thumbprint art is right on your hand, the supplies and cost are minimal, making it an easy and enjoyable activity.
Coasters
Making coasters using your thumbprints can add charm and personalization for parties or cocktail hour. Purchase corkboard material and craft paints or ink pads found at a craft store. Dip your thumb into the paint or ink and make a design on the corkboard. Once the paint is dry, spray the corkboard with a waterproof clear sealant, found at a craft or hardware store, to seal the paint. Square pottery tiles can also be used as a coaster. These are sold at do-it-yourself pottery shops where you can decorate the coaster with your thumbprints, using the pottery paints, and the the pottery shop will fire and glaze them for you.
Handmade Card
When writing a thank you, birthday, or special occasion card, add a special touch by making the card yourself. Using card stock, cut out and fold to the desired size card. To design your own thumbprint garden art on the card, dip your thumb into craft paint or an ink pad, then stamp the paper with your thumb to make a design. Thumbprints can be used to make the petals on a flower or the body of a bee buzzing around. Once the thumbprint is on the paper and dry, use a marker or pen to add details or outline the garden shapes. Add other fingerprints to vary the size and texture.
Alphabet Letters
Children love getting their hands messy and finger paints are a perfect, easy-to-clean medium for preschool thumbprint art. When teaching letters to young children it's beneficial to add a hands-on element to the project. Write an alphabet letter on a piece of paper with a pencil. Have students thumbprint the lines by dipping their thumb in the paint and stamping the outline of the letter until all the pencil lines are covered in thumbprints. Once you have created all the letters of the alphabet, display them in the classroom for students to view.
Insect and Animal Art
Creating pictures of insects or animals is an educational classroom project. Instead of students using the traditional method of drawing or coloring animals, have them create a piece of art with their thumbprint. With the use of paper and washable paint, have the students stamp their thumbprints on the paper until they have made the basic shape of the insect or animal. When the paint is dry, use a pen or pencil to add details to the body such as the eyes or mouth. As part of the lesson plan, explain how each person's thumb is different and can be identified by different physical markers.
Wedding Art
As guests arrive at a wedding it is custom for them to sign a guest book. Add a creative twist and have guests use thumbprints to make a work of art for the bride and groom. Do this by drawing or printing the branches of a tree either on canvas or heavyweight paper. Have a few different shades of green ink pads for guest to apply thumbprint leaves to the tree. All the different sizes, shapes and textures of thumbprints will add character to the thumbprint tree art.
