15 Illusion Art Examples | Psychedelic Art Ideas For Kids

When you look at an optical deception, you know that something is messed up. What’s going on? Are your eyes pulling pranks on you? Reality is often not rectified; at most, that’s how the human mind perceives it. What we believe is influenced by what we experience. But what we perceive is also influenced by what we think. Very trippy, right? These are great exercises for kids and it’s going to be super fun so here are some trippy, psychedelic art ideas.

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Note: This tutorial and our many others are suitable for ages 3 to 10 (preschool and above.)

What is optical art?

Op Art, or optical illusion art, is an artistic style that utilizes the peculiarity of human vision. It allows the human eye to deceive the human brain. Op artists try to trick the eye by manipulating patterns, shapes, colors, textures, and forms to produce phenomena that fool the eye into seeing more than what is there. Since belief can be just as powerful as reality, Op Art asks if interpretation or truth is important.

On the other hand, Op Art is not the same as hyper-realistic art, despite both being meant to deceive the eye. Today’s Op Art is mostly abstract, depending on geometric compositions to persuade the viewer that surreal shapes and spatial planes exist. Now, keep on reading on to discover why they are so trippy! 

On several occasions, we have come across photographs that we initially misinterpret. Illusions are deceptive images. They persuade us to believe something we don’t want to think. They’re also investigated in psychology. Our brain interprets the images we see. They’re difficult to come by, and understanding them could take a few minutes.

Why are optical illusions trippy? 

Our kids do love trippy arts, but are we aware of how they work? The truth is, belief can be just as powerful as reality. Illusions of vision are more common than you would expect. Several hypotheses have been suggested to explain how the moon’s size appears to change over time. The moon will appear larger on the horizon than it does in the night if you pay attention. 

Optical illusions are psychedelic art that uses bright colors and bold shapes to shock the senses. The terms “psychedelic art“ and “lysergic art“ concentrate on a particular artistic trend. The theory is that the eyes transmit data to the brain, which is unable to make decisions. This is since the data is inconsistent.

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The created works, which typically used abstract patterns and dynamic contrast between the light and shadow, caused the eye to be befuddled. Illusion is described as trickery or befuddling, and this art movement’s paintings are simple, black and white, geometrical, and abstract.

Color, light, and patterns are used to produce optical illusions that trick or confuse the brain. The brain processes the information gathered by the eye. The brain seeks to make sense of the various colors and patterns when converting what it sees. This causes the brain to be confused because the vision does not fit the picture. When the eyes are fully closed, the delusions become more pronounced, and the effect worsens.

Op Artists try to trick the eye by exploiting designs, curves, shades, textures, and structures to produce hallucinations that manipulate the eye into seeing more than what is there. Wow, just wow, right?

15 Trippy Optical Illusions for your Kids

Now, it’s time to create trippy and fun optical illusions with our kids! It’s an excellent idea to help them explore the world of art. Below are the 15 op-art ideas that will occupy you and your kids:

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1. Aquarium Perspective Lesson

Let our kids dive straight into learning about the theory of perspective when constructing an aquarium in this Aquarium Perspective Lesson. By designing artwork inspired by a walk-through aquarium, the kids can illustrate a one-point view.

2. Vanishing Form in Splatter Space

Our kids will enjoy tracing shapes, for sure! But first, let them think. The Vanishing Form in Splatter Space will help them be more creative in terms of shape and will give them time to think. Make sure they have some fun construction paper scraps on hand so they can start tracing as soon as possible! 

3. 3D Letters with one-point perspective

Surely, our kids would love to draw their names but now let’s teach them with a twist! How about a 3-Dimensional letter that looks like just a solid structure? The 3D Letters with a one-point perspective add another dimension to your artworks, or indeed any flattened artwork for that matter. 

4. 3D Paper Cone Drawing

Good news! Your kids would only need sharpies and colored pencils to create a 3D Paper Cone Drawing! This 3D paper cone drawing is a perception in which our kids draw six horizontal lines that cross around the same point, then alternately construct a series of concentric curved lines.

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5. City Artwork in one-point perspective

Indeed, cities are lots of fun! So why not put it in artwork? In this One Point Perspective City artwork, kiddos can finally understand the one-point perspective. They can illustrate one-point perspective by making artwork inspired by a city road in this One Point Perspective City lesson. 

6. Optical Illusion Hand Art

Good weather outside means time to pull a trick with this nifty little optical handprint! Can you believe that your kid’s hand can make art? With art, there’s nothing impossible. The kids will have some fun just by tracing their hands. What more if they put more colors into it? The colors in the hand art op-art are one way to make it stand out. 

7. Spider Web Op-Art

Turn your simple straight lines into a spider web. The little kiddos can choose two complementary colors and can immediately start their art. The kids will enjoy drawing a “happy” and “sad” face, alternating colors. So what are your kids waiting for? Grab your pencils and turn them into a spider web op art! 

8. Emoji Thaumatrope Optical Illusion Toy

Have you heard of the emoji tropes? If not, then I think it’s time to make one with our kiddos! This optical illusion is a popular toy to explore their favorite emojis and their creative side. They will only need basic materials making it a budget-friendly art. Our kids would love to trace the emojis and get them spinning. Suddenly, you have full emoji before your eyes. Sounds fun, doesn’t it? 

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9. Op-Art 3D Spheres 

The kids only need pencils, rulers, and markers, and they are free to do these Op-Art 3D spheres! They need a little patience, too, because this artwork can be a bit repetitive to work. But don’t worry, It is a good project for our little kiddos to start at the beginning of the year and keep it. 

10. Op-Art 3D Rabbit

Little kiddos would love to see the fluffy rabbits in their art. I mean, I wouldn’t complain too! But, let’s make it tricky, like something real! The OP-Art 3D Rabbit is fun and easy to make, especially for kids who love to feel like it’s real. 

11. Spiral Rose

Roses are attractive flowers; it is why kids love them too, despite the thorns! The spiral rose pattern has a bit of 90’s painting vibes. The kids will surely enjoy making spirals and turning them into beautiful flowers. 

12. Optical Illusion Heart Art

It is a pretty inexpensive optical illusion art that is fun and easy to make for kids, especially when it’s all about love! Our little kids will only need two materials, rulers and markers or pencil crayons, to create a heart op-art. This is a great activity to show some appreciation to their parents while learning at the same time. 

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13. Stacked Square Optical Illusion

We all love to give our youngsters a little bit of a challenge, and this stacked square op-art is the perfect start! It may look quite hard, but the goal here is to let our children learn, especially in shading and 3D drawing. Once the art is all done, the illusion in the art is undeniable! 

14. An Op-Art American Flag

Whether it’s a UN event in your kids’ school or project, the Op-Art American Flag is a great idea! These are pretty enjoyable and easy to make, producing great illusion results like it’s moving. 

15. Medieval-Inspired Op-Art

Knights, castles, princesses, or shields, a medieval-inspired op-art will give the art a genuinely magical vibe! I assure you, kids will and cannot resist this kind of art. 

It’s with no doubt that tricky arts are powerful. And kids are huge fans of magic! So, you might want to give these illusion art a shot. Let us know in the comments which optical art tricked your kids the most!