This is a quick 1 or 2 lesson project that looks at mark making. I introduce the idea that many pieces of art have been created without the use of a paintbrush. The children get messy by experimenting with various items dipped in black paint. I have a box full of bits and pieces -  pen lids, batteries, screws, springs, sticks, cotton buds, elastic bands, forks etc. and use these to create a mixture or marks. I cut out lots of square cards to experiment on and the drying racks gets full pretty quickly! The idea being that we do not need to use brushes and pencils to create art. Some interesting and unique marks were created.