Life would be super boring without any colour or paintings but did you know you can make paints from natural things, like plants and berries?
Using plants to make dyes is an age-old art that will truly make you feel like you’re getting back to your roots.
You won’t need a lot to get started and it’s easy once you have the hang of it!
Getting Started
Basically, all paints are a type of dye and the colour comes from pigments.
Paints are made from two things: pigment and a binder. The binder helps the colour stay on whatever you’re painting on!
Every colour can be made by mixing other colours together: the primary colours. They’re red, blue, and yellow!
We’re going to make those colours and then you can mix these to make others.
Blue – blackberries, blackcurrants, blueberries!
Red – beetroot, rose petals, cranberries, strawberries!
Yellow – mustard powder, pumpkin, bee pollen!
How to make your own natural paints:
- Push berries or other soft fruit through a sieve to extract your pigment, then mix with just a small splash of water!
- Grind petals, leaves, or other dry items before mixing with a tiny, tiny bit of honey!
- Powders are the easiest! Just mix powders like mustard powder in water being super careful to add just the right amount. You don’t want so much water that it’s super runny but you want enough so that it’s not grainy!
We want to see photos of your paints and paintings! Once you’ve given this a shot, get in touch!
Fun Kids Daily Summer Challenge!
We're sharing something to do every day during the summer holidays! From going outdoors and trying fun games to learning new stuff and competing with friends!
