The Art Zone

Whether seeking a cure for boredom, providing your brain with a bit of novelty to keep it nice and active, or simply giving in to a creative itch, The Art Zone may have what it takes to satiate your artistic needs.

The Art Zone is an interactive hub for artists, a place where we can make art online through a variety of tools. Though mainly designed for kids, it’s really a lot of fun for all ages. From painters to photographers to just about every kind of artist there is, The Art Zone probably has something for you. And while there are some system requirements—mainly Shockwave—they are absolutely free to use. Here are just a few of the delights you can find at the site.

Brushter

An online painting machine, Brushter has over forty brushes to use in creating your own unique abstract painting. By selecting your own stroke options, sizes, textures and transparency levels, it’s the next best thing to a jar of acrylic and a filbert. Colors are virtually unlimited, and you can even make your own special effects by rippling, blending, blurring, smudging and even breaking apart your brush strokes in fragments. There’s even an option to let the program run and make a painting for you, which you can stop and alter on your own at any time.

Dutch Dollhouse

For those of you us want to play dolls or design a dollhouse but don’t have the money to fork out for all of those cute, expensive miniature ovens and beds, this art application is just for us. Based on the 17th and 18th century Holland “poppenhuis,” or dollhouse, it features famous paintings to mix and match into doll characters, as well as rooms to explore, including an artist studio and courtyard.

Collage Machine

Collage-making is one of the most fun art projects to do. It’s something that anybody can do with just a pair of scissors, a couple of magazines, and some glue. But if you’re not into the peeling-the-glue-off-your-fingers fetish that some of us are into, the collage machine can help you make something without the mess. And the permanence of the glued-collage isn’t here, either; every time you click, you can make a completely new arrangement, too—sort of like an online version Colorforms.

Photo Op

This program is great for kids who haven’t been introduced or mastered Photoshop (or similar programs) yet. You can take pictures with the virtual camera, and then edit them with colors, warping and collage tools, new colors and more.