Make a statement on the beach this summer with your own personalized “crime scene” beach towel. You don’t need to be a “CSI” professional to create this unique towel. You just need a large beach towel, fabric paint, and a helper friend.
EditSteps
Part One: Selecting a Suitable Towel
- Purchase a large, oversized black beach towel. The towel doesn’t have to be black, but it may have more “pop” if it resembles pavement.
- Make sure the towel is large enough to hold your entire body outline. If necessary measure at the store (or before you leave to shop).
- Avoid overly fluffy towels as fluff will impede precise painting.
Part Two: Creating the Crime Scene Outline
- Lay the beach towel on the ground. Make sure you lay the towel on a hard flat surface so you can obtain the best “chalk outline” possible.
- Lay down on top of the beach towel. Position your body with one arm bent, over your head and the other arm bent, down by your side. The aim is to make your body to resemble the traditional crime scene chalk outline.
- Instruct your friend to draw an outline of your body using the dark lead pencil. Don't move until it's done!
Part Three: Painting the Towel
- Go over the pencil outline with the paint. Work slowly, in order to ensure precise coverage.
- Consider taping the beach towel to the floor or ask your friend to hold the towel steady while you paint.
- Make sure that the paint “chalk” line is the same width as you trace the pencil line.
Part Four: Drying the Towel
- Leave the towel on the floor or carefully transfer to an area where pets and/or kids can’t disturb the towel while it dries.
- Allow up to 24 hours for dry time. Read the accompanying instructions on the paint bottle to provide appropriate dry time. When dried, it's a good idea to give it wash to soften the towel.
- Done. You can now head out and create your own portable crime scene on the beach!
Edit Tips
- For a more gruesome-looking towel, add a few blood splatters to the towel after drawing on the crime scene. Purchase washable red fabric paint (in a bottle), dip brush in paint and then add splatters on the towel.
- Consider wearing tight clothing when creating the chalk outline to ensure the closest match.
- Make sure the paint you purchase won’t wash off the beach towel if laundered.
Edit Things You'll Need
- A large, oversized black beach towel
- Fabric paint; a paint pen is better than a paintbrush unless you have a very steady hand––the paint chosen must be washable
- A dark lead pencil to trace the body outline
- Paint that is in direct contrast to your towel color; for example, if you purchased a black towel, white or even bright yellow paint will work well
Edit Related wikiHows
- How to Draw a Beach Scene
- How to Make a Diorama
- How to Make a Plaster Cast of a Footwear Mark, Tyre Impression or Animal Footprint