Things You Will Need
This technique of painting is fun, but also a little challenging because you have less control over where the paint lands on the canvas.
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Cover your work area with old newspaper or bags.
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Prime and paint the background of your canvas before applying the splattering effect. Usually the splatter look is done last, or a dark or more vibrant layer of splatters is added over a lighter, thinner bottom layer of splatters. You can also apply the splatters to a plain-white canvas.
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Add the colors of oil paints that you want to splatter with into individual cups or small bowls. Thin the oil paint down with a thinning agent. Use a solvent like turpentine or an oil such as drying linseed oil or drying poppy seed oil -- note that the drying oils will cause your splatter designs to dry quickly. Slowly add a small amount to the paint and stir with a paint brush until you get the desired consistency for your splatters.
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Dip a stiff-bristled brush into the thinned oil paint. Use a large brush with stiff bristles and flick your wrist toward the canvas in the spot where you want to add the splattered look. Add smaller sprayed areas with a small stiff brush or an old toothbrush by running your thumb along the brush while pointing it at the canvas. Create a fanned out splatter (rays going from one point) by gently hitting the canvas with a fine-bristled brush and letting it splatter out.