Instead of shopping for manufactured paint, make your own out of a few inexpensive ingredients. Paint that is safe for children of all ages can be made quickly with flour or corn syrup. More experienced artists can mix their own paint using raw pigment and a medium. If you need to paint a DIY project, try making chalk paint for furniture or flour-based paint for walls. Make your own paint for a satisfying yet entertaining project that also saves you money.
DIY White Flour Based Paint
- Pour white flour, water, and salt into a bowl. Pour 1 cup, or eight fluid ounces (240 ml), of warm water into a large mixing bowl. Also, add 12 ounces (340 g) each of white flour and table salt. Mix the ingredients into a smooth liquid.
- Divide the paint into separate containers. Distribute the paint evenly among a few small bowls or squeeze bottles. Resealable plastic bags also work well with this kind of paint.
- Pour 2 drops of food coloring into the paint. Choose a paint color, then squeeze 2 or 3 drops of food coloring into the paint. Give yourself a color palette by mixing a different color into each container. You can add more drops as needed if the paint’s color isn’t dark enough.
- Stir the paint to mix in the food coloring. If your paint is in open containers, stir it with a spoon or another utensil. For bottles or bags, close the container and shake or squeeze it. Keep doing this until the paint becomes a consistent color.
- Add more water to thin the paint. Paint made using a flour mixture may seem pretty thick at first. To thin the paint, gradually pour more water into the container. Mix the ingredients together until the paint is exactly how you want it.
- Use the paint on paper and refrigerate excess. The best paper to use is a watercolor paper from an art supply store. The paper is made of wood pulp or cotton and may hold up better than regular printer paper. You can also try similar flat surfaces such as cardboard, cardstock, or canvases. Store excess paint in a closed container in the refrigerator.
Now You Know
