Painting a Monstrance - Teaching straight line painting and the True Presence of Jesus!

I realize this is a bit late for Corpus Christi, (I've been keeping busy.) But it's not too late to teach kids the awesome mystery of the Most Holy Eucharist!

This is a simple art project to help kids practice painting straight lines. Practice makes perfect and even young kids can learn to paint straight lines, with a little practice! But the best part of this simple art project is that it's a great reminder that Jesus is truly present in the Host at church during Mass.

You will need:

• Stock paper or construction paper or canvas paper
  (color of your choice - We used black and white)
• paint: - white and yellow on black paper
              -yellow and red on white paper
• paintbrush 
• paper plate or cups for holding paint
• Host printable – Available on our website (includes printable instructions)
• glue
• newspaper to cover the work area 
• brown paint or brown paper for “Cross Version” (optional)

First, add a quarter size "glop" (that's art talk for large drop) of paint to the middle of your paper. Leave enough room for the rays and area for the monstrance base.

Now work the paint out in straight lines. Start at the center and go straight out from the center. Do this all the way around. ALWAYS start in the center and go straight out away from the center. This is the straight-line practice. 

My kids made a chant, "Middle, go straight out...Middle, go straight out...Middle, go straight out."

It worked well for them! I held my 5-year-old's hand and directed her paintbrush the first few strokes. Then she was able to do the painting on her own. 

Now add a second color to the middle and do the same as the first. 

You might want to do another drop of the first color again and the second color again - depending on how much the children fills in the area. 

Add the stem and base to the monstrance. The stem goes straight down and the base goes straight across. The children can make the base curved (if they have the ability).

Now have the children cut out a host circle. (on our website)
After the paint is dry the children can add the host circle to the center of the rays!

Cross Version:
You may prefer to simply make the rays and add a cross.
Add the cross with brown paint or glue down two strips
of brown paper (as pictured).

Download the printable instructions and host HERE

There you have it!

I hope you enjoy!