Looking for an enjoyable Halloween process art project? Try creating a salt-painted spiderweb! Children will be fascinated as they watch the paint travel across the salt in this festive process art activity!
RELATED: The Salt Painting Process
Salt painting makes a wonderfully entertaining project for children. With salt, glue, and watercolor paint, you can create these vibrant spiderwebs.
The finished artwork is lovely, and making it is just as enjoyable! Kids love watching the paint flow along the salt.
Supplies You Will Need
- Black cardstock
- Watercolor paints – we chose this kids set. Liquid watercolors work well too.
- Table salt
- White glue –a smaller container with a narrow nozzle creates a finer glue line, which helps prevent the salt from becoming overly lumpy.
- Paintbrush
- A small amount of water
Watch the Video Guide
SALT PAINTING TIPS:
- We suggest painting immediately. Since the salt may begin to flake away, it is best to start painting as soon as the salt is applied.
- Place a piece of cardboard beneath your cardstock to protect the counter or table, because some watercolor could seep through.
- This artwork is not permanent. To save your creation, use white cardstock instead and scrape away the salt after finishing. A watercolor painting will remain underneath.
Creating a Salt-Painted Spiderweb
1. Begin by drawing a spiderweb with a pencil on a sheet of black cardstock.
Choose thick cardstock so the watercolor does not soak through. Cardboard can also be used as a painting surface. The paper used here weighs 110lb.
2. Trace the lines with glue.
Aim to squeeze out each glue line in a single motion. This helps prevent pools of glue from forming along the design.
3. Cover the glue with salt.
Sprinkle salt over the glue so that every line is fully covered. Any uncovered areas will not carry the color.
We prefer keeping a separate supply of salt for art projects. Afterward, simply shake off the extra salt and save it for another salt craft.
4. Carefully remove the extra salt.
5. Your spiderweb is ready to paint!
It is best to begin painting right away. When using a watercolor palette, load your brush with plenty of water so the paint can spread across the salt.
The bright neon shades look fantastic on the black paper in this Halloween craft! Another option is orange paper paired with black watercolors.
Experiment to see how many unique web patterns you can create!