How to Make Paint With Paprika
Many kids love to paint, but parents sometimes worry about the potential health issues associated with commercial pigments. Creating paint from natural ingredients such as paprika not only alleviates such concerns but is a fun activity kids can do themselves. Paprika, made from ground peppers, results in a brownish-red paint that children can use as a watercolor, ink or face paint. In the past, monks used such pigments to create their books.
Instructions
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Pour the desired amount of paprika into a small paper or plastic cup. To make a small amount of paint, start with 2 tablespoons of the powder.
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Add the water a drop at a time from the eye dropper to the powder and stir. Keep adding the water until the powder is completely moist and the mixture is the texture you want. Water colors have a thinner consistency than finger paint or face paint, for instance.
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Add a drop of gum arabic to make the paint thicker and more long-lasting.
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Tips & Warnings
If the paint hardens, you can still use it. Just dip a paint brush in water, and then brush across the block of paint.
Gum arabic is also nontoxic. It aids with digestion and is one of the ingredients in many soft drinks. You can purchase gum arabic from art and craft supply stores.
You can also make paints from other spices such as ginger, turmeric, chili powder and cocoa.
References
- Photo Credit Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images
