Artists usually paint on canvas. Canvas is a strong, hard cloth made from hemp or yarn. It’s normally stretched across a wooden structure (called a stretcher).

But you could paint on any fabric or surface, like cotton or velvet or metal or glass. What else could you paint onto?

Artists also use some very unusual ways of putting the paint on the canvas dripping, splatting, even shooting!

For this activity, investigate some of the awesome ways that artists use colour, textures, textiles and paint and have a go at making your own textured paint masterpiece.

• A canvas or other heavy fabric
• Paint (I chose 3 acrylic paints)
• Extra fabric and materials
• Everyday objects to paint with instead of a paintbrush. (I picked a toy car, a leaf, corrugated card, a spatula and a washing up brush)
• Glue

Stick your fabrics onto your canvas (or the surface you're painting on) to make some interesting textured layers.

You can just stick these on randomly. Try using fabrics with lots of different textures.

Start painting? What kind of marks can you make with the paint? Can you get inspiration from around you in your house, or in the garden or in your street?

How does it feel to go over the fabric? Can you see the threads in it? Is it easy or hard to paint on?

Build up colours and patterns. You may need to let the paint dry a little before adding another layer of paint. It's OK to make slippages and spillages – that will all add to the interesting texture!

Take some inspiration from other abstract artists who make marks and paint on fabrics. Have a look at the artists on Tate Kids. Some favourites are Jackson Pollock, Sarah Morris and Frank Stella.