Abstract: An apparatus/kit for making a composite picture on a surface medium preferably includes such surface medium and pad-like applicators to apply color media to the surface medium forming respective symbols thereon creating the composite picture. The applicators preferably are padlike, being formed of paint, or other color media, holding pads mounted on a support structure or backing; the pads preferably are resilient and absorbent or adsorbent. The invention also embodies a method for creating a composite picture on a surface medium using such pad-like applicators to apply color media in selected symbol-like designs to selected areas of the surface medium. Such application may be in a form of free expression by the user or may follow a prescribed pattern furnished as part of the apparatus/kit.