How to Make Watercolors With Shelf Life

You can make custom colors when you make your own watercolors.

With a few kitchen items, you can make your own powdered watercolors that will maintain a similar shelf life to powdered watercolors that you purchase at a store. Since many people usually do not use all of the watercolors during a single painting session, it is good to have watercolors that will dry after each use so you can use the paint again in the future.

Things You'll Need

• 9 tablespoons baking soda
• 9 tablespoons cornstarch
• 9 tablespoons white vinegar
• Medium-size mixing container
• Sealable pill box
• 4-1/2 teaspoons light corn syrup
• Mixing stick
• 2 or 3 drops food coloring

Instructions

1. Mix the baking soda, cornstarch, white vinegar and light corn syrup in the mixing container.

2. Pour the mixture into each compartment of a sealable pillbox. Do not fill the compartments fully. Leave a small amount of room for adding and mixing the food coloring.

3. Add the food coloring to each compartment of the pillbox and mix. You can change the intensity of the color by adding more or less food coloring. Usually, two or three drops per ounce of paint works. You can add in different colors and make your own custom color if you choose. Use different colors per compartment so you have a wide range of colors to choose from when painting.

4. Place the pillbox in a cool dry location until fully dry. Place the lid on once dry to help preserve the paint and to keep dust out.

References

• Pepper Paints: DIY Watercolor Paints