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Microsoft Paint Projects

Introduction
Below are 5 projects for building in skills in creating digital art using Microsoft Paint. Each skill has a video to help you.

What do you need?
A Windows PC with Microsoft Paint installed.
If you do not have Windows, you could use the online version here >

Project 1 - Mondrian Artwork
Use the lines, fill and colour tools of Paint to build Mondrian inspire art work.

1. Resize and Zoom in/out
Click and drag the corner of the digital paper to resize it. 
Use the + and - in the bottom right corner to zoom in/out.

2. Create a rectangle shape.
Choose the rectangle shape and then a dark colour. 
From the top left hand corner, click and drag to create a rectangle. 

3. Add lines and fill
Click and drag the corner of the digital paper to resize it. 
Use the + and - in the bottom right corner to zoom in/out.

4. Save your artwork
Save your artwork as different types of image files.

Tip
Remember, you can you use the blue undo arrow if you make a mistake.

Extension challenge
Can you also add diagonal lines into your artwork?

Project 2 - Shapes and Text
Add shapes and then label them using the text tools.

1. Shapes
Watch the video above and then add a range of 2D shapes. You can use outlines or fill effects.

2. Text
Label the shapes correctly use the text tool. Watch the video above to help you.

Extension
Can you label the different angles (acute, obtuse, reflex, right angle) in the shapes by using the line and text tools?

Project 3 - Self Portraits
Use various shape and paint tools plus duplication and rotation to create a symmetrical portrait.

1. Lines and shapes
Start your artwork by drawing a thin line down the middle of page and then using the circle shape to draw a face shape outline. 

2. Colours and Fill
Select a colour from the custom colours and fill your face shape with it.

3. Zoom and Solid Shapes
Use the + in bottom right hand corner to zoom to get detail on the eye. Use solid shapes for features such as pupil.  

4.Facial Features
Use various lines, shape and fill tools to create different parts of the face.
​(Just one side)

5. Use the spray can for hair 
Experiment with different free hand drawing tools to create hair. 

6. Create symmetry
Use the select, copy, paste and invert tools to create a symmetrical face picture.

Extension challenge
Can you think of other symmetrical images you could create, such as a butterfly?

Project 4 - Wrapping Paper
Use various shape and paint tools plus duplication and rotation to create a symmetrical patterns. This project also introduces resizing objects.

1. Decorations
Use the shapes, lines and fill tools to draw a decoration that fills the page. This video demonstrates a Christmas tree but it could be a snowman, presents, angels etc.

2. Resize
Use the Select tool to put a box around your decoration and then click and drag it to make it smaller.

3. Duplicate and Rotate 
Use the Select tool again to copy and paste your decoration and then rotate to experiment with different designs.

Extension
Could you try a snowman using two circles on top of each other?​ 

Project 5 - Landscape Reflections
Use various tools to build a city landscape and then use reflective symmetry.

1. Sky
Draw a solid blue rectangle that covers the top half of the page. Experiment with custom colour if need be. 

2. Buidings
Use the solid shapes to create the silhouette of the buildings. 

3. Lights
Zoom in and draw yellow lights shapes. Then use select, copy and paste to create more lights across your building. 

4. Copy and Flip
Try it yourself! Can you select the top of half of the page, copy, paste and move it to the bottom half? Then flip it vertically to create the reflection. 

Project 6 - Pop Art
Copy and paste a portrait image from the Internet (we have used the face of Bart Simpson) to make a grid of images. Then use the different editing tools to make an Andy Warhol inspired picture.
​Watch the video below to help.