How to Make a Bark Painting

If you're looking for a fun and easy craft to do with your child or any child for that matter, than why not try a "Bark Painting?" What we are essentially going to be doing is making a version of a Mexican papel amate (bark paper) painting. For our version, we will not need real bark. We're going to use a brown paper bag and make it look like real bark! So, not only are we going to make a really cool craft, we're recycling at the same time!

Here are the supplies you're going to need for this project:

A large brown paper bag (the kind from your local grocery store)
Scissors
Water
An Iron
Black Permanent Marker
Acrylic, Tempera, or Craft Paint
Paintbrushes

Now on to the fun part! The first thing that you're going to want to do is cut a large rectangle from your brown paper bag. After that you're goint to want to wet it water and then crumple it up. Kids will enjoy this part! Squeeze out any excess water and then flatten out the paper. Now, using an iron that has been set on low, adults only for this step, run the iron over the paper to smooth it our some more and dry it.

When your paper bag is good and dry and nice and smooth, what you will need to do is draw an outline of whatever design you'd like to make onto the paper bag with your black marker. Some good examples of designs are cats, doves, or fruit. The possibilities are endless with this craft. Flowers come out looking great, as well!

After you have made your outline, now you're ready to fill it in with the paint you have choosen. Get creative and use as many colors as your heart desires. The more colors the better for this project!

One last tip: if you'd like for your paint colors to look brighter against the brown paper, mix in just a bit of white paint into the other paint colors. Now they'll really stand out!

Craft projects do not have to be difficult or cost a tremendous amount of money. This one sure doesn't. Most everyone has a brown paper bag lying around and some old paint. So, go have some fun and get started on this easy bark painting now!