DOUBLE TAP TO ZOOM WITH PHONE OR TABLET 46  chapter 3 You will need at least three colors of paint, slightly watered down, and three to five long-handled, slim paintbrushes. The paint containers should be heavy so they won’t tip over. The children can dip the brushes in the paint and fling the paint into the box. They can fling free style or tap the handle of the paintbrush on the side of the box or on the backs of their hands. This is a standing art activity. And it’s really fun to photograph! Following are a few additional tips for splatter painting: After painting on canvas, I decided to reuse the canvas for another painting. I felt a bit sad to cover the children’s artwork, but I knew it was worth it to have another painting experience. During a nursery rhyme unit, we painted the can- vas all black to make a night sky background. Then we splatter-painted the canvas to represent the song “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” The re- sults were stunning! • Canvas works well for splatter painting, too, and it creates a lasting piece of art. Canvas can be costly, though, which limits the use of this option in most classrooms. • Poster board is a great alternative to canvas. It is not as expensive, but it is very durable. Also, with poster board, you can turn it over after it dries and use the reverse side for new work. • You can do splatter painting as a second-day effect. On the first day of the project, for example, have the children paint with rollers. On the second day, after the base paint is dry, add the splatter painting. Splatter painting on a black canvas • For very big splatter paintings, use large butcher paper. Try this outdoors, hanging the paper on a fence or laying it on the ground. • Large twelve-by-eighteen-inch paper taped together works well too. Splatter painting with both hands Splatter painting in a big box COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL