Homemade Watercolor Paints

Combine a few household ingredients to make customized watercolor paints.

Watercolor Paint Recipe

Ingredients
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon light corn syrup
3 tablespoons baking soda
3 tablespoons cornstarch
Liquid food coloring, various colors

Materials
Bowl with a pouring spout
Containers for paint
Spatula
Wooden craft sticks

Instructions

1. Combine white vinegar and light corn syrup in the bowl
2. Add baking soda and cornstarch, and stir until the mixture is combined and stops fizzing.
3. Fill the container slots with 1/4-inch of mixture
4. Add food coloring to each section, and stir with wooden craft sticks until mixed
5. Allow the colored mixtures to dry uncovered, overnight or until completely dry

Tip: Add an extra 1/2 teaspoon light corn syrup if needed, to make the consistency of the paint easier to handle.

Paint Container Ideas

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• Candy or mint tin
• 7-day pill container
• Mini muffin tin
• Clear egg carton
• Small plastic ketchup cups
• Empty tea light tins
• Empty eye shadow containers
• Ice cube trays
• Old watercolor container

Tip: Reuse a heart-shaped Valentine candy box as a cute container for your watercolor paints. Save the molded plastic insert to pour paint colors in.

Tip: To paint with homemade watercolors, simply use water and a paintbrush like you would with store-bought versions.

Travel-sized Watercolor Kit
Take watercolor paints wherever you go with a travel-sized paint kit. Create dividers with aluminum foil in a small candy tin. After paints are dry, attach a small paintbrush and tiny watercolor pad to the tin with a rubber band. Embellish the tin with a label or decorative elements if desired.