Make a rainbow brush with @SpecialBuster
With @SpecialBuster, make a rainbow brush by attaching colored yarn to a craft brush, then paint vibrant streaks and explore color blending safely.
Step-by-step guide to make a rainbow brush with @SpecialBuster
Step 1
Put on an old shirt or smock.
Step 2
Cover your workspace with newspaper or a table cover.
Step 3
Ask @SpecialBuster to join you for this rainbow craft.
Step 4
Cut six to eight pieces of colored yarn about 6 inches long using scissors.
Step 5
Line the yarn pieces up in rainbow order on the table.
Step 6
Tie the yarn pieces together at one end in a tight knot.
Step 7
Secure the knotted end to the base of the brush by wrapping tape or adding a small dab of glue.
Step 8
Trim the yarn ends so they are even and about 4 to 6 inches long.
Step 9
Put blobs of washable paint onto a palette or paper plate.
Step 10
Dip the yarn ends into one paint color and blot the extra paint on the palette or a paper towel.
Step 11
Paint a long sweeping streak across your paper using one smooth motion with the yarn brush.
Step 12
Try color blending by dipping half the yarn into one color and half into another then paint a new streak to watch the colors mix.
Step 13
Let your rainbow painting dry completely.
Step 14
Share your finished rainbow brush painting on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have colored yarn for the rainbow brush?
If you can't find colored yarn, cut six to eight 6-inch strips from old T-shirts, ribbons, or crepe paper and follow the same steps to tie, secure with tape or a small dab of glue, trim to 4–6 inches, and use them as your brush.
My yarn brush keeps slipping or the paint drips—how do we fix that?
If the knot slips or the yarn comes loose, retie a tight knot and reinforce the knotted end to the brush base with extra tape or a small dab of glue, and blot excess washable paint on the palette or a paper towel before making the long sweeping streak to prevent drips.
How can we change the activity for younger or older kids?
For toddlers have an adult pre-cut and tie the six to eight yarn pieces and secure them with tape while older kids can safely cut 6-inch lengths themselves with scissors, trim to 4–6 inches, and practice color blending by dipping half the yarn into one color and half into another.
What are fun ways to enhance or personalize our rainbow brush project?
Decorate the brush handle with washi tape or markers, mix in ribbon or pipe cleaners with the yarn for new streak textures, create layered rainbow paintings, and then photograph and share your finished painting on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to make a rainbow brush with @SpecialBuster
Rainbow Brush Tutorial - Letter A
4 Videos
Rainbow Brush Tutorial - Letter A
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How to Create a Multi Line Rainbow Brush in Procreate: Procreate Brush Tutorial
Facts about painting and color mixing for kids
🧶 Yarn comes in fibers like wool, cotton, and acrylic—acrylic yarn is bright, affordable, and won't melt in water, great for kid-safe rainbow brushes.
🖌️ Paintbrushes have been used for tens of thousands of years; early artists made brushes from twigs, animal hair, and feathers!
🎨 Some pigments were once rarer than gold—ultramarine blue, made from lapis lazuli, used to be extremely valuable.
🌈 Mixing two primary colors makes a secondary color—try red + yellow = orange, yellow + blue = green, and blue + red = purple.
✅ For safe, mess-friendly play use washable, non-toxic paints (look for AP or "washable" labels) and cover surfaces before blending colors.
