How to Paint a Bat: Easy Step-by-Step Coffee Filter projects for Kids
Here you’ll find an easy step-by-step tutorial for how to paint a bat on a coffee filter. They are great replacements for watercolor paper.
Bats on a Coffee Filter
Here’s an easy way to make a bat painting which lets young artists draw an actual bat with a marker, and then paint a very colorful background. The black Sharpie is helpful to create the bat-looking silhouette, pointy ears and all, and the watercolor gets absorbed into the filters to mix in all kinds of colorful ways.
Here’s why this project will likely help young artists of all ages get their best results:
• The plan is to have students pick a template they like, so they can begin by tracing their bat onto the filter. Pencils don’t work, so tracing vastly improves the process.
• The black permanent marker will make a nice solid black color, necessary for the silhouette look, and keep all its details.
• Painting can happen over all the of the bat when complete, nothing will bleed.
• Customizations can still occur! Students can add all kinds of smaller bats, or ghosts or whatever around their drawing.
Pro Tip: When the filters have dried, try ironing them with an old iron. They will look like crisp rice paper and look amazing hanging from a thread somewhere!
Use the button below to grab these free PDF templates!
Materials
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Coffee Filters*
Liquid Watercolor Paint*
Black Sharpie*
Step by Step Directions for a Bat Painting
Time needed: 30 minutes
Make a Bat Painting Step by Step
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Print one of the three bat templates, tape a filter on top. You’ll be able to see through it.
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Trace the drawing with a black PERMANENT marker.
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Fill it in to make a silhouette.
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Remove the tape and paint over everything with watercolor paint. (Liquid watercolor works best.) The colors will run together, but that’s what makes it so fun to do!
More Coffee Filter Painting Ideas
I opted to make a simple line drawing of a house and tree and fence for the students to trace, just for a starting point. They were to add as many Halloween details as they could. Given that the filter material is tricky to draw on with a pencil, I recommend jumping in and just drawing with a permanent marker.
President’s Day Penny on a Coffee Filter
You can even try some shading by adding an extra layer of brown to Mr. Lincoln so that he stands out from the background. Make a traditional penny, or go crazy and make a pop art, tie dye version. Either way, you have a fun way to mix art with a little history.
President’s Day Quarter
Paint like Miro on a Coffee Filter
Mona Lisa Drawing on a Coffee Filter
It’s possible to make really brilliantly colored paintings without expensive watercolor paper. Large, industrial coffee filters will give you a colorful look for a fraction of the price.
