Mexican Bark Painting

Mexican Bark Painting

About Mexican Bark Painting

Mexican Bark Paintings are one of the many interesting and original Folk Arts of the traditional Mexican culture.

This Mexican folk art dates back to around 1200BC and it is very colorful and elaborated due to its long history. The symbolism typically found in bark paintings are wildlife, village scenes, birds and other alike.

Bright colors as well as the mixture of many colors are one of the most famous trademarks of the traditional Mexican culture. Mexicans are known to mix colors that other nations wouldnt even think about, but still those color mixtures are very nice and joyful.

Typical Mexican color mix can be seen on the Mexican womens dresses and other types of traditional Mexican clothing as well as in the many forms of Mexican art, including: pottery, metal curving, painting and so on.

The making of the bark painting is not too complicated process and if you have any artistic talent or even just an adventurous spirit you should try making one yourself.

Making this painting can be a lot of fun for the entire family and kids tend to enjoy it very much. Also, it is a very good opportunity to teach children about Mexico, its history and art.

How to Make a Mexican Bark Painting

First you need a bark paper or something than looks like an authentic Mexican bark paper. The great choice, and very obtainable and cheep, is the brown paper bag.

Cut the paper bag so that you get two large sheets of paper. Then crumple the paper into a ball and flatten it back out.

Take a lighter and burn the edges of the paper to make it look like an old and authentic Mexican bark paper.

Sketch the design with the pencil. Once you are satisfied with your design you are ready to paint it.

Paint your design by using the acrylic paint and markers. If you want to make a true Mexican peace of art you shouldnt be shy with colors and you should choose as many different colors as you can. Of course this is just a suggestion because you are an artist and the choice is entirely on you.

In any event, the only mandatory thing is for you, and your loved ones, to enjoy the process of making the bark painting and admire your finished peace of art.