Insoluble paintings

I got this lesson idea from Dick Blick and it fitted in so well with what my year 4 classes were doing in the classroom.This is an art lesson based on the scientific concepts of insolubility and density- linking art to the Unit of inquiry – What is the Matter? We talked about water-based paint having a higher density than mineral oil; therefore, the paint and oil molecules will not mix but repel each other. Combining the two liquids will create patterns that continually flow and react with one another, while the paint molecules will gravitate toward one another. 

A laminating pouch, sealed using a clothes iron, keeps the painting from drying out, so the liquids remain interactive and manipulative. Finished pieces may be mounted and displayed — although gravity will pull the paint to the bottom, paintings can be rotated and enjoyed as the colors reflow and remix themselves.

Print foam shapes were cut out and sealed inside the pouch to add an element of abstract design in keeping with the Central Idea and to act as obstacles around which the liquids will flow.