How to make your own watercolour paints

Do you love painting? Have fun and be creative with your very own homemade watercolour paints. This easy to do recipe includes just 5 ingredients you will probably have at home in the kitchen.

 

Tips before you begin:

• Don’t forget to ask an adults permission first.
• Make sure you wear some old clothes or use an art smock. These paints shouldn’t stain your clothes but you will want to stay clean.
• If you need help with measuring, ask an adult to help you

 

What you need:

• 4 tablespoons baking soda (bicarbonate soda)
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon light corn syrup (you can also use glucose syrup)
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch (also known as corn flour)
• Food colouring (icing gels produce the most intense colours)
• Mini Muffin Tin or ice cube tray to store paints
• Spoons or spatulas for stirring
• Mixing bowl
• Toothpicks

 

How to make it:

1. Combine the baking soda and vinegar together in a mixing bowl. The mixture will fizz, so wait till the fizzing stops.
2. Add corn syrup and cornstarch, and mix until well dissolved.
3. Pour into a mini muffin tin or ice cube tray
4. Your mixture will thicken if you stop stirring so keep it moving as you pour.
5. Add a dab of icing gel or 6 drops of liquid food colour to each compartment of paint. Stir your colour in with a toothpick.

Hint: If you are using liquid food colour, try an extra pinch of cornstarch if needed to soak up the extra liquid.

1. Now the hard part – you have to let your paints dry completely. This could take between 24-48 hours.
2. When your paint has dried, simply swish with a wet paint brush to use.

 

How to store your paint:

When you have finished painting, simply store the paint uncovered and the paint will dry out, ready for when you want to use again.