painting

Gorgeous Eye Dropper Art

August 27, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Baeutiful paper towel eye dropper art . Do the process art activity on its own or turn the art into dragonfly, butterfly, and flower designs.

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What do dragonflies, butterflies, and flowers have in common? Aside from appearing during the summer season, they all look spectacular in eye dropper art. This easy-to-do, oh-so-satisfying process art technique is one of children’s favorite ways to paint.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

For this stunning art activity, gather the following:

liquid watercolors or food coloring
roll of absorbent paper towels
pipette eye droppers
paint containers
waterproof tablecloth

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The Eye Dropper Art Process

Create gorgeous eye dropper art with liquid watercolors on paper towle sheets. An all-ages process art activity.

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Things might get very wet with this art technique, so the first thing to do is cover the working surface with a waterproof tablecloth.

Next, tear off sheets from a paper towel roll. If you have a choice, pick a thicker brand, as it will be more absorbent. But any kind of paper towel will work fine.

Then pour water into paint pots, and mix a few drops of liquid watercolors or food coloring in each one.

Set up an art station with a paper towel sheet and paint pots with eyedropper pipettes for each participant.

Invite children to squeeze paint on their paper towel canvas with the droppers.

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When the arty paper towel sheets are thoroughly covered in paint, set them aside to dry.

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Eye Dropper Paint Crafts

Eye dropper painting is a well-loved process art activity, and participating artists will likely want to decorate a few paper towels. In this case, send some of the paper towel art home, and save a few sheets for crafts or other activities. The paper towel art looks beautiful in the following three crafts.

Paper Towel Dragonflies

Create a gorgeous dragonfly with a super fun eye dropper painting technique. A paper craft that looks stunning displayed.

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The large wings of mosquito-munching dragonflies have a moment with the eye dropper art technique. To craft the dragonflies, cut two pairs of long wings out of painted paper towel sheets, and a one-piece head, thorax, and abdomen from complementary-toned regular or glitter cardstock. Use a glue stick to affix the dragonfly wings to the back of the cardstock shapes. Finally, use a glue gun to add folded pipe cleaner antennae and wiggly eyes to the heads.

Tip: Paper towel rolls are often two-ply. If the layers in your cutouts separate while you are working, dab a little glue in a few spots between them so they stay in place.

Create gorgeous dragonflies with a super fun eye dropper painting technique. A paper craft that looks stunning displayed.

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Download this free dragonfly template to make the craft.

Download this free dragonfly template for art or craft activities.

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Dragonfly PrintableDownload

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This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Paper Towel Butterflies

Create a gorgeous, dainty butterfly with a super fun eye dropper painting technique. A paper craft that looks stunning displayed.

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Butterflies look fantastical in any kind of art technique, and the wings look especially dainty when crafted from painted paper towels. To create the butterflies, snip two pairs of butterfly wings from a colored paper towel. Then cut a one-piece head, thorax, and abdomen from cardstock. As with the dragonflies, affix the wings to the back of the cardstock bodies. With a glue gun, attach a folded pipe cleaner antennae and two small wiggly eyes to the heads.

Create gorgeous, dainty butterflies with a super fun eye dropper painting technique. A paper craft that looks stunning displayed.

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Download this free butterfly template to make the craft.

Download this free butterfly template for art or craft activities.

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Butterfly TemplateDownload

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This printable is for individual or one-classroom use only.

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Paper Towel Flowers

Create a beautiful flower with a super fun eye dropper painting technique. A paper craft that looks stunning displayed.

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A third art project is to create paper towel flowers. Cut the flowers and circular centers from painted paper towel sheets, and add cardstock or construction paper stems and leaves.

Create beautiful flowers with a super fun eye dropper painting technique. A paper craft that looks stunning displayed.

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Download this free flower template to make the craft.

Download this free flower template for art or craft activities.

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Flower PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one-classroom use only.

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Light Table Play

The eye dropper paper towel dragonflies, butterflies, and flowers look especially beautiful displayed on a light table.

Eyedropper art dragonfly, butterfly, and flowers display beautifully on a light table.

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As an alternative, eye dropper-painted geometric shapes cut from paper towel sheets also illuminate wonderfully and offer opportunities to create original designs.

Eye dropper art on geomtric shapes look beautiful on a light table and provide an invitation to create interesting new designs.

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Earth Day Heart Art

Eye Dropper Leaf Art

Spider Theme Activities

Ladybug Wand Craft

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[Read more…]

Shiny Paint Cactus Art

August 3, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Four easy to make shiny cactus art projects that look beautifully displayed. Kitchen supplies gleam in this all-ages art activity.

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This all-ages shiny paint cactus art can be made in a few different ways. Try one of the versions or try them all, and share a few cactus facts along the way. Saguaro and prickly pear cactus trees are featured in the activities, and two free cactus templates are available to download to make your art activity preparation easier.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Make this shiny saguaro cactus tree art project using only a few supplies. An all-ages easy-to-do desert art activity.

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Gather the following basic supplies for the cactus art projects in this post:

white corn syrup
neon purple and green food coloring
green food coloring
paint pots
paintbrushes
glue paddle
small bowls
spoons
white glue
scissors
large circle punch
8 ½ inch x 11-inch white cardstock paper
12 x 12-inch colored cardstock
flower confetti
cactus templates
newsprint or tablecloth

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Cactus Art Paint

Three of the four projects featured employ a shiny paint made by adding a food coloring hue to white corn syrup. Little learners find this paint soooo satisfying to use. It is super sticky and can work as an adhesive. It dries with a glossy, smooth finish.

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Coconut Embellished Saguaro Cactus

Saguaro cactus trees grow naturally in southern Arizona and in the Mexican state of Sonora. The desert dwellers are covered in prickly spines.

Saguaros often bloom in late May to late June, but the blooms can be spotted earlier or later in the year. The stunning white flowers with yellow centers mature into edible ruby red fruits.

Steps to make a shiny saguaro cactus art project using only a few supplies. An all-ages easy-to-do art project.

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For this first saguaro cactus art project, start by squeezing a little white corn syrup into a paint pot. A baby food jar works well as a paint holder.

Next, add a few drops of neon green food coloring into the corn syrup and stir it in.

Then cut a saguaro cactus tree from white cardstock paper. Feel free to download this template for the project.

A free saguaro cactus template to use for art and craft projects. Paint, glue, and create with using unique cactus design.

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Saguaro Cactus PrintableDownload

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Afterward, set the cactus cutout on an art table along with the sticky green paint, a paintbrush, a small bowl with shredded coconut, and a spoon.

Cover the cactus with shiny paint, and then sprinkle on coconut bits to represent pokey spines. Press in confetti flowers to depict a cactus in the blooming season.

To complete the cactus art project, add a strip of golden or yellow ochre sturdy paper to the bottom of a 12-inch x 12-inch piece of cardstock that is a pastel shade. Using white glue or a glue gun, carefully adhere the painted cactus to the cardstock background. Punch or cut out a large cardstock circle and glue it on to represent a sun in the picture.

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Note: This paint takes a generous amount of time to dry. After at least a few days of drying time, the art is ready to be displayed.

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Chive Embellished Saguaro Cactus

This easy to create saguarro cactus tree art uses chives as one of the supplies. An all-ages art project that is rewarding to do.

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This second cactus tree art project uses green glue instead of corn syrup paint. For this art activity:

Mix a little neon green food coloring into white glue to make a light green hue. Use a glue paddle to apply the glue all over a cactus template. A light coat of glue works best, as it helps prevent the paper cactus from curling as it dries.
Sprinkle on freeze-dried chives to look like cactus spines, and add pink confetti blooms.
Finish the project the same way the first one was done.

Note: Corn syrup paint works beautifully for this cactus art design just as well.

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Purple Prickly Pear Cactus Art

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As I am always drawn to unique colors in nature, I was excited to find out that there is such a thing as purple cacti. Some prickly pear cacti are purple, so this next project celebrates this pretty, vibrant hue and highlights the unique prickly pear cactus shape. Feel free to download the template below for the art activity.

A free prickly pear cactus template to use for art and craft projects. Paint, glue, and create using this unique cactus design.

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Prickly Pear Cactus PrintableDownload

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To complete this art project:

Mix a little neon purple food coloring in a pot of white corn syrup.
Paint the prickly pear cactus with the purple sticky paint.
Sprinkle on uncooked rice grains to represent spines.
Press in purple confetti flowers. Or use yellow confetti flowers…the natural color of purple prickly pear blooms.
Finish the project the same way the first two cactus versions were done.

This prickly pear cactus art project requires simple supplies you can find in your kitchen. It's an easy-to-do all-ages art activity.

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Cactus Christmas Tree Art

This last cactus project is elevated by using cake sprinkles for the spines. The balls in the sprinkle mix inspired me to turn the cactus into a decorated Christmas tree.

Use supplies you have in your kitchen to decorate a saguaro cactus as a Christmas tree. An all-ages art activity everyone will love.

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To make this art project:

Mix a hue of green corn syrup paint and brush it onto a saguaro cactus.
Drop on cake sprinkles with your fingers or a spoon, and press them in gently. Space out the sprinkle balls to look like ornaments on the tree.
Glue a cut or punched metallic paper star at the top for a tree topper.
Complete the art project the same way as all the others.

Note: The corn syrup paint and glue paint have adhesive qualities. If any of the embellishments do not adhere, use white glue or a glue gun to affix the shapes.

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These shiny paint cactus art activities are suitable for people of every age. Each project can be a cooperative one for little learners, with an older child or adult helping a little one with the cactus art.

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Related:

Octopus Art

Sea Turtle Art

Sea Star Art

Lizard And Turtle Art

Corn Syrup Paint Sunflowers

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[Read more…]

Unicorn Watercolor Art

July 11, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Tempera paint pucks are a great medium for decorating a unicorn template, as they have a whimsical watercolor look. They come in a variety of bright, vibrant hues, and an added bonus is that the paint dries quickly. In this unicorn watercolor art project, painted unicorns are included in a pretty paper craft scene.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Supplies to create a stinning unicorn scene with tempera paint pucks and fadeless construction paper. A free unicorn template is available to download.

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Gather the following supplies to complete the beautiful unicorn scene:

non-toxic tempera paint pucks in a variety of colors
paint cake trays or muffin tins
paintbrushes and pots
8 ½ inch x 11 inch white cardstock paper
8 ½ x 11 inch green and light blue cardstock paper
metallic cardstock
circle paper punch
pencil and scissors
glue stick or glue gun
waterproof tablecloth or newsprint

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The Unicorn Watercolor Art Project

To start this stunning mythical-themed art project, first trace and cut out unicorns from white cardstock paper. Download the free template below for the activity, or choose your own design.

Download this free unicorn template for art and craft projects.

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Unicorn PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Next, cover a table with a waterproof tablecloth or newsprint.

Then set up stations with a paper unicorn, paintbrush, paint pot filled with water, and tray with tempera paint pucks in bright hues.

Invite each participant to dip their paintbrush in water and generously wet a paint puck, and then begin painting their unicorn. Between colors, paintbrushes should be rinsed in a pot of water.

Tip: Prewetting tempera pucks with a paintbrush and water makes this activity easier for little learners and helps them get off to a good start.

When completed, set aside the decorated unicorns to dry. This will take under an hour.

If there is time, participants may enjoy more watercolor painting on a rectangular or square piece of cardstock or copy paper.

After everyone has finished, rinse off the paint trays, pat them with a paper towel to remove excess water, and let them dry.

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Creating A Unicorn Scene

To create a beautiful unicorn scene for each painted creature, cut a narrow, green strip from fadeless construction paper to represent grass.

Using a glue gun or glue stick. adhere the green strip to the bottom of a piece of light blue construction paper.

Then punch or cut a circular sun from metallic cardstock in a hue that complements the painted unicorn.

Finally, glue a sun and unicorn to the blue and green construction paper background, and pencil in a unicorn eye.

Note: Older children can complete these unicorn scene steps on their own.

A stunning unicorn art project with tempera paint pucks and fadeless construction paper. Download a free unicorn template for the activity.

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Watercolor-painted cardstock or copy paper would also work nicely as a backdrop for a painted unicorn.

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Non-Toxic Paint Pucks

Non-toxic tempera paint pucks are a nice resource to have in your collection of art supplies. Here is a little more information about them:

Tempera paint pucks are watercolor paints in a puck or cake form.
These easy-to-use paints come in many beautiful hues.
Color possibilities are limitless, as the paints can be mixed to make new hues.
The paint cakes sit nicely in art trays or standard muffin tins that stack easily and take very little room when stored.
The non-permanent paints can be used on paper, cardboard, fabric, and wood.
Adding differing amounts of water to the cakes results in different effects and lighter and darker shades.
Crayons and oil pastels work beautifully with the tempera paint pucks.
This art medium requires minimal preparation and clean-up time and is easy to use with a large group or classroom of students.
The tempera pucks and trays are inexpensive to buy and last a long time.

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Related:

Unicorn Playdough Tray

Unicorn Puppet Craft

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[Read more…]

Spin Painting Butterflies

May 19, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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There are few art projects that are more exciting and fun than spin painting. And using a salad spinner is an easy and low mess way to create spin art. I’ve featured this painting technique in a few projects on my blog. In this post, I feature spin painting butterflies.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Gather the following supplies for this art x science painting activity:

salad spinner
butterfly template
cardstock paper
pipe cleaners
tempera paint
paint pots
spoons
tape
white glue or glue gun

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Creating Spin Painting Butterflies

To create the spin art butterflies, design a butterfly template and trace it onto cardstock paper in the color of your choice. It is optimal for the butterflies to be the size of the bottom of the salad spinner. To help figure out the correct size, trace the bottom of the salad spinner basket onto a piece of paper. Lay the butterfly template on the circle and adjust its size if needed.

Then add a little piece of rolled-up tape to the bottom of one paper butterfly, and position it securely in the salad spinner basket.

Next, pour tempera paint colors of choice into paint pots. Add a little white or yellow paint to brighten up the colors if desired.

Afterward, spoon blobs of paint in a variety of colors onto the butterfly.

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Then spin the salad spinner at a moderate rate. It is ideal for the butterfly to remain on the bottom of the spinner. Spinning it super fast may loosen the butterfly resulting in it sticking to the side of the basket. This will smudge up the paint.

Next, open the spinner and carefully lift out the butterfly. Remove the tape and let it dry.

Finally, cut out a one-piece butterfly head, thorax, and abdomen from a complementary piece of sturdy paper, and bend a pipe cleaner length into antennae. Glue both to the center of the butterfly using white glue or a glue gun.

Oh-so-fun salad spinner butterfly art activity. An easy-to-do, all-ages art activity.

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Invite each person participating in this activity to create one or two spin art butterflies.

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Spin Painting Butterfly Variations

After spinning the salad spinner the first time, you can choose to drop in more paint and spin again.

Create this spin painting butterfly in a few easy steps. This is a process art activity everyone in the family will love.

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After the first spin cycle, the butterfly in the above picture turned out mostly yellow. With a little more paint added and another round or two of spinning, the butterfly is more colorful.

If the butterfly does stick to the side and the paint is smudged, make a print with it on a new piece of paper. Cut the butterfly out and use doubled sided tape to secure it onto a new piece of paper for a 3D effect. Add a cardstock frame for a finishing touch.

Butterfly paint prints look stunning when displayed on a cardstock background.

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And gluing a painted butterfly, ribbon, and bead garland to a dowel makes an awesome butterfly wand.

Beautiful spin painitng butterfly wand craft your little learners will love. An all-ages process art project.

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The Science Behind Salad Spinner Art

Centrifugal force is used in creating salad spinner art. When the salad spinner is spun around, centrifugal force pushes the paint away from the center to the edges of the butterfly.

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How to create beautiful spin painting butterflies with a salad spinner. This is a super fun process art activity everyone will enjoy.

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Related:

Spin Painting Maple Leaf Art

Salad Spinner Heart Art

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[Read more…]

Ombre Bunny Art

March 25, 2023 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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When doing a similar bunny art project year after year it’s nice to vary the color scheme. In this spring painting activity, shades of teal and blue are used to create ombre bunny art.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Shades of blue tempera paint are used to decorate this ombre bunny, This is an easy-to-do art project that you are sure to love.

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For this simple painting project, gather the following supplies:

teal and deep blue tempera paint
white tempera paint
paint pots
paintbrush
paint palette
bunny template
manilla tag paper
wiggly eyes
black pipe cleaner
blue button
cotton balls
spoons
scissors and pencil
white glue or glue gun

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The Ombre Bunny Art Project

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To start off, pick a bunny template to trace and cut out from manila tag paper, or another sturdy kind. My bunny design was traced from a dollar store wall plaque.

Then select a deep color of teal paint and add it to three paint pots. In two of the pots, stir in varying amounts of white paint. Pour dark blue paint into a fourth paint pot and mix in some white.

Afterward, spoon the blue paint shades and a little white into a paint palette.

Set the paint palette, bunny template, and paintbrush on an art table protected with newspapers or a disposable tablecloth.

Brushing on blue shades from dark to light or light to dark will create an ombre effect.

When the painting is dry, use a glue stick or glue gun to adhere two wiggly eyes, a button nose, and a bent pipe cleaner mouth to create a bunny face.

Wiggly eyes, a button nose, and a pipe cleaner mouth create a bunny face.

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Or glue one or more cotton balls to the bottom of the bunny to fashion a bunny tail.

A cotton ball tail accents this easy-to-do ombre-painted spring bunny art project you are sure to love.

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A pink, purple, or green color palette would also look pretty on this ombre bunny art project.

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More Bunny Art

Spring Bunny Canvas Art

Bunny Rolling Pin Art

Silhouette Bunny Art

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[Read more…]