Jim Dine Inspired Hearts

Jim Dine Inspired Hearts: A DIY Valentine's Day Art Project

Have you ever seen the work of pop artist Jim Dine? Known for his iconic heart motif, Dine’s work has been popular since the early 1960s. He's remembered as a leading figure in the realm of pop art and is often mentioned alongside greats like Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Jasper Johns. 

Jim Dine infused his art with a deeply romantic artist sensibility, focusing on rich personal significance and the constant presence of feeling in his pieces. His dynamic repetition of the heart symbol has made it one of the most beloved themes in modern art, and today we’re creating DIY Jim Dine hearts to celebrate Valentine's Day. 

As a self-proclaimed pop-art lover, this is one of my favorite DIY Valentine's Day projects! It uses simple materials to mimic the artist's tactile brushwork and his exploration of the relationships of color. Keep reading to learn how to make your own Jim Dine inspired heart art!

What You'll Need to Make Jim Dine Heart Art:

Affiliate disclaimer: Although I stand by all the products I use, I can receive a small commission from any purchases via my affiliate links.

• Yarn

• Glue (school glue works great)

• Cardboard

• Foil

• Sharpies

• Foam Brush

A Quick Introduction to Jim Dine

Image Credit via Jonathan Novak Art

Jim Dine was born in Cincinnati, Ohio is 1935. He attended the Art Academy of Cincinnati and later the Boston Museum School. He first gained recognition in the early 1960s during the pop art movement, where he explored everyday objects like robes, tools, and hearts as part of his condensed visual vocabulary.

Image Credit via Artsy

Image Credit via Jonathan Novak Art

Unlike the ironic tone of other pop artists such as Claes Oldenburg and Robert Rauschenberg, Dine’s work reflected a personal mark and emotional depth. His hearts, inspired by the once-common heart symbol, became a personal symbol of love, passion, and creativity. 

His use of bold colors, textures, and layering techniques gives his hearts a three-dimensional quality, making them some of his most iconic works. As Dine himself once said, “The heart is a place to explore color, shape, and feeling.”

Jim Dine's career includes exhibitions at famous venues like the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Walker Art Center, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. 

Steps by Step Tutorial to Create Your Own Jim Dine Style Hearts

Follow this easy Jim Dine hearts tutorial to create your own pop-art pieces. Give it as a handmade Valentine's Day gift or use it as wall art!

Step 1: Prepare Your Base

Cut a piece of cardboard to your desired size. I've made both small and large foil hearts and they all look beautiful!

Heart with lines

Step 3: Create Texture with Yarn

Using a foam brush, generously apply glue along the drawn lines. Press yarn into the glue to create texture, similar to Dine’s use of inventive printmaking techniques and textured materials. Trim off any excess yarn.

Using a foam brush to apply glue

Adding yarn

Step 4: Add Foil

Lay a sheet of foil gently and evenly over the cardboard. Use the palms of your hands to smooth out the surface, revealing the textured lines beneath. 

Gently push towards the perimeter of the cardboard to push away any excess glue. Tuck the extra foil to the back of the cardboard.

gently add foil – either side works!

Step 5: Add Bright Colors to the Heart

Using Sharpies, begin coloring the heart. Start with the inner perimeter and work outward. Use the side of the sharpie to avoid ripping the foil.

Dine often used bright colors to explore the relationships of color, so don’t be afraid to mix bold shades with sharp contrast.

It’s much easier to outline the inside perimeter before coloring

Step 6: Finish Coloring Background

Color the background using the side of the marker to avoid tearing the foil. Experiment with complementary colors for a look inspired by the realm of pop art.

Adding the background color

Step 7: Frame & Display

For an extra wow factor, frame your new Jim Dine inspired heart! Display it on your wall or desk or give it as a handmade Valentine’s Day gift!

I made this one for my mom!

Tips for Experimenting with Jim Dine Hearts

• Materials: Try creating your heart on canvas, wood, or paper for varied textures. 

• Color Techniques: I chose to color the foil with Sharpies to make this Jim Dine Hearts craft an easy pop-art project for kids. You could also paint the foil with bold colors to truly take inspiration from Jim Dine himself!

• Color Palettes: Explore unexpected combinations, like new colors that Dine might have used in his oeuvre of artwork.

• Shapes: We used a realistic heart shape here, but try using abstract or geometric heart shapes too.

Learn More About Jim Dine

For more on Jim Dine hearts, check out some of these resources:

• The Pace Editions gallery, which often features the artist's work.

• Books on Dine’s dynamic repetition and his monumental cast sculptures.

• The Jonathan Novak Contemporary Art Gallery for insight into his personal symbol of the heart.

Happy Crafting!

Have you tried this Jim Dine hearts art project for kids or adults? I'd love to see your work! Tag me on Instagram @artbeat_box.

If you’re looking for more Valentine's Day art inspiration, check out my tutorial for string art in the shape of a heart!