Creative Craft Paint is an extremely thick tempera paint which can be used to create a range of raised images and special effects. In this project, we're going to water them down to be translucent, and also use them at their full "thick" and opaque strength to create magical works of art.

Grade Levels

3–8

Procedure

1. Copy the Pattern
   Enlarge and copy the pattern diagram at right directly onto construction paper, or hand out a photocopy to each student as a reference while painting freehand.
2. Paint the Background Colors
   Place Blue, White, Green, Orange, Red and Yellow Creative Craft Paint colors into separate paint wells or cups. First, we're going to use Creative Craft Paints as watercolors. Dip your brush in the water and then collect just a little paint on the tip of the brush. Paint on your paper with both the colors and water. Remember to rinse off your brushes between colors. Allow your watercolor painting to dry.
3. Pour Paint into Squeeze Bottles
   Now we're going to use Creative Craft Paints at their full thickness to create the 3-dimensional braille dots. Pour a little of each color of paint into separate squeeze bottles. (Students can also share if bottles are limited, or they can just use a small round brush to make the braille dots.) NOTE: The dots can also be any color, so it's your choice to use one color or a rainbow of colors.
4. Paint the Braille Dots
   Carefully "dot" thick paints in the circle areas of the pattern. These dots spell out the words shown nearby in braille. This is a great, colorful way to teach students all about braille. Visit www.nbp.org for a complete braille alphabet.
5. Make Your Own
   Use your imagination and create more colorful 3-D messages in braille. Have fun!

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