How to Paint With Epsom Salt

Dissolve Epsom salt in water to create a paint that dries to look like sparkling snowflakes. This popular winter craft takes advantage of the beautiful crystalline structure of Epsom salt to represent falling snow. Add an artistic touch to holiday cards or a family scrapbook by applying touches of the Epsom salt paint. With a few drops of food coloring the paint will take on a whole new appearance.

Things You'll Need

• 2 cups water
• Medium saucepan
• Stove
• 2 cups Epsom salt
• Wooden spoon
• Food coloring (optional)
• Paint brush
• Construction paper

Instructions

1. Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan on the stove at medium high heat.

2. Turn off the stove and pour in the Epsom salt. Stir the two ingredients together with a wooden spoon.

3. Add five to seven drops of food coloring when the liquid has cooled if you want colored paint.

4. Apply the paint to construction paper with a paintbrush in small amounts. Try not to over saturate the paper and cause tearing.

5. Work with the paint as you would water colors. Rinse the brush under running water for a color change. In two or three hours your art will dry and have a sparkling coat of crystallized Epsom salt paint on its surface.

Tips & Warnings

• Cover both sides of white construction paper with a light coat of the colorless Epsom salt paint. After the paint has dried fold the paper several times and cut various geometrical shapes without severing the folded edge. Unfold the paper to reveal a glistening snowflake that appears to be made of sparkling ice.

• Add a homemade touch to store-bought cards by applying a few drops of Epsom paint. Let them dry completely before inserting them in the envelope to mail.

• When working with children, be sure that the Epsom salt paints have safely cooled before pouring them into small bowls for each child.

References

• Recipes for Art Materials: Magic Crystal Paint