Art & Creativity6-12 years
Medium
30 Minutes
LIVE
Loading...Pendulum Painting
Bilal Şentürk
Maker
What You'll Need
- 3D-printed parts (feet/legs, hanging bracket, mini paint buckets)
- 4.5 mm × 30 cm hardened steel rod
- Acrylic or finger paint + water (thinned to a fluid consistency)
- A3 painting paper
- String or similar hanging material
Pendulum Painting
Get all the materials you need for this project in one package!
Includes:
3D-printed parts (feet/legs, hanging bracket, mini paint buckets)
4.5 mm × 30 cm hardened steel rod
Acrylic or finger paint + water (thinned to a fluid consistency)
A3 painting paper
String or similar hanging materialAll materials in one package!
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Let's Make It! Step-by-Step Guide
- Attach the 3D-printed feet to the two steel leg rods.
- Slide the crossbar into the top of both legs, forming an A-frame structure.
- Check that the frame sits level and stable on the work surface.
The Science Behind It
A pendulum’s motion is governed by gravity and inertia: it swings in a regular period determined by the rod length. As it swings, paint drips under centrifugal force, tracing arcs and ellipses on the surface. This melding of predictable physics and fluid dynamics yields endlessly unique patterns.
Helpful Tips
- Amplitude Control: Wider pushes yield larger loops; smaller pushes create tighter spirals.
- Height Tuning: Experiment with 5–20 cm cup-to-canvas gaps for different drip behaviors.
- Clean Swaps: Rinse cups thoroughly between colors to avoid muddy blends.
- Surface Choice: Try heavyweight paper, stretched canvas, or wood panel for varied textures.
Try These Variations!
- 1Alternate Swing Modes: Twist the cup before release for spiral or figure-eight patterns.
- 2Geometry Lesson: Time multiple swings to estimate the period T ≈ 2π√(L/g) in a mini-math activity.
- 3Non-Traditional Paints: Mix inks, dyes, or even coffee for earthy tones.
- 4Glow-in-the-Dark: Use fluorescent or glow-in-the-dark paints and view under UV light.