How to Paint With Beets

Red beets make a purple dye.

Many vegetables and fruits contain natural dyes. You can strain berries such as strawberries and blueberries and use their juice as a paint that can be brushed onto paper. Beets make excellent dyes, and the vegetable itself can be used as a tool to stamp designs. You can use both red and yellow beets, but prepare them separately to maintain the integrity of the color of each.

Things You'll Need

• Red beets
• Yellow beets
• Paring knife
• Salt
• White vinegar
• Craft paint
• Paintbrush
• Craft paper

Instructions

1. Divide the beets into some to be used for dye and some to be used to create stampers. You will need one beet for every two stampers you wish to create. Use one bunch of yellow beets and one bunch of red beets to create dyes.

2. Cut and peel the beets to be used for dye. Place the beets in water and boil them on a stove top. Be sure to boil your red and yellow beets separately.

3. Cut your stamper beets in half while the dyeing beets are boiling. Carve out shapes in the beet by making a shape that protrudes from the flat end. Use a small paring knife to do this.

4. Remove the dyeing beets from the stove when the water is a rich color. Add a few pinches of salt to act as a preservative for the dye. Also mix in a splash of white vinegar to bring out the color.

5. Pour the beet water into containers appropriate for painting.

6. Assemble the craft paint, paintbrush, stampers and beet dye where you want to paint. Use the stampers with the craft paint and paintbrush with the beet dye. Use craft paper or other paper that will withstand a watery paint.

Tips & Warnings

• Red onions, red cabbage, coffee, turmeric and red beets can all be natural dye for Easter eggs (see Resources).

References

• The Green Art Project: How to Make Paint From Blueberries and Beets
• Kinderart: Plant Dye Paints

Resources

• Martha Stewart Crafts: Natural Egg Dyeing Techniques