About This Video

In this guided activity video, JD leads viewers through painting a rainbow with watercolor.

The activity begins by gathering supplies, setting up the workspace, and drawing two clouds with rainbow arcs connecting them. JD then guides viewers through adding watercolor paint to each section of the rainbow, rinsing the brush between colors, using a paper towel, and letting the colors fill the drawing.

Throughout the video, JD reminds viewers that their rainbow does not need to match his exactly. Viewers can use more colors, fewer colors, different brush sizes, and their own creative choices.

This video gives viewers a calm, step-by-step art activity focused on watercolor painting, color practice, brush control, creativity, and pride in finished work.

Supplies Needed

• Paper

• Black marker

• Watercolor paints

• Paint brushes

• Cup of water for rinsing brushes

• Paper towel

• Extra paper underneath to protect the table

• Art binder

• Three-hole punch, if adding the finished artwork to a binder

Good For

• Adults with IDD who enjoy painting, rainbows, colors, clouds, watercolor, or creative art activities.

• Caregivers looking for a guided art activity with simple shapes, clear steps, and room for personal choice.

• Adult day programs, home routines, or group activities about art, color, fine motor practice, following directions, watercolor painting, and self-expression.

• Viewers who benefit from calm pacing, visual modeling, encouragement, and permission to make artwork in their own style.

How to Use This Video

Use this video as a guided watercolor activity for a home routine, day program, small group, or independent creative time with support nearby.

Caregivers can gather the supplies ahead of time and help viewers set up their paper, marker, watercolors, brushes, water cup, paper towel, and table protection. Because watercolor can soak through paper, it may help to place extra paper underneath the artwork before painting.

JD gives step-by-step instructions, but the rainbow does not need to be exact. Viewers can choose their own colors, make more or fewer rainbow sections, change the size of the clouds, or add details after the paint dries.

Because this activity involves paint, water, markers, brush rinsing, drying time, and optional hole punching, caregivers can provide support with setup, managing spills, rinsing brushes, staying oriented on the page, using a three-hole punch, or adding the finished artwork to an art binder.

At the end, viewers can let the painting dry, sign their artwork, show it off, and save it in their binder.