Little Artist

15 min · $3-8 · Easy

A beret, a cardboard paint palette, and a splatter-painted smock.

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You need

• Beret or flat cap, 1 (buy: thrift store)
• Cardboard for the palette, 1 piece (make: from a shipping box)
• Washable paint set, 1 (buy: craft store)
• Old smock or oversized t-shirt, 1 (own)
• Paintbrush, 1 (own, or buy: craft store)
• Scissors, 1 (own)

Steps

1. Buy the beret and the washable paint set. Pull the old smock from the closet.
2. Draw the kidney-bean palette shape on the cardboard and check the size against the forearm BEFORE cutting. A palette cut too small looks like a toy. Cut it out with the scissors.
3. Paint dabs of bright color around the palette edge and let dry.
4. Flick a little paint onto the smock for splatters and let dry.
5. Safety: use washable paint only; cover the table before splattering.
6. Wear the smock and the tilted beret, and carry the palette and brush.
7. Optional pro finish: squeeze real paint dabs onto the cardboard palette and carry it. A palette with actual paint on it is the prop that makes strangers say 'oh, an artist!' instead of 'nice beret.'
8. Optional pro finish: squeeze real paint dabs onto the cardboard palette and carry it. A palette with actual paint on it is the prop that makes strangers say 'oh, an artist!' instead of 'nice beret.'

Common questions

How do you keep the beret on a small head?

Bobby-pin it at both temples, tilted to one side. Berets slide straight back without pins, the tilt plus pins locks it.

What is on the cardboard palette?

Dabs of the same face paint colors, arranged in a circle. Match the palette to the cheek dabs and the costume tells one coherent story.

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