For people living with dementia, the enjoyment to be gained from painting and drawing is not in the finished product, but in the experience of creating. This is something that is easiest to arrange for those still living at home, but is something that may be welcomed as an activity to be taken on by volunteers if your relative is in a care home where they do not normally get the chance to take part.
It is important to provide materials that are easy to use
such as poster paints or watercolour, and soft chalk pastel crayons or artist's
quality soft pencil crayons rather than children's crayons. Short handled
brushes are easier to control than long handled brushes. Felt tip pens can give
a bright effect for those with poorer vision who do not enjoy using paints or
pencil crayons.
Sheets of reasonable quality drawing paper should be used
for drawing, whilst thicker paper, card or canvas boards should ideally be used
for painting. For people with any experience of painting and drawing, the
use of poor quality materials may put them off.
A good, reasonably priced source for a wide variety of art materials is 'Great Art'. Buy on line at www.greatart.co.uk or get advice and order by telephone on 01420 593332.
For those who enjoy this type of activity and who have
carers willing and able to put in the extra effort, silk painting can be a
rewarding and enjoyable art activity. Silk and paints are available from many
suppliers including Great Art (above) or www.rainbowsilks.co.uk
who also sell ready to paint silk window decorations.
If you live in the West Midlands
Sandwell Third Age Arts is an organisation that provides
opportunities for people with dementia to experience painting and drawing. See www.staa.org.uk.