How to Make Homemade Watercolor Paints
Imaginative Crafts, Do-It-Yourself Projects and Video Tutorials by Robert Mahar, robert-mahar.com
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Materials:
1 cup baking soda
¾ cup vinegar
2 tablespoons corn syrup
1 cup corn starch
Food coloring gel*

Tools:
Mixing bowl, whisk, wooden spoon
Ice cube tray**
Toothpicks or popsicle sticks

*Source for food coloring gel used in video:http://www.wilton.com/store/site/prod…
**Source for ice cube tray used in video:http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store…

Directions:
1. Combine the baking soda and the vinegar in a mixing bowl.  Pour in the vinegar slowly to prevent it from foaming and bubbling over the edges of the bowl.  Once the chemical reaction of the two ingredients has calmed down, whisk the mixture to thoroughly combine.

2. Add the corn syrup and the corn starch and mix well.  If the consistency becomes too thick, you may want to switch from a whisk to a wooden spoon.

3. Pour the mixture into the compartments of an ice cube tray.

4. Dip the end of your toothpick or popsicle stick into your food coloring gel and then mix it into one of the ice cube tray compartments.  Start with less coloring than you think you may need — you can always add more!  Take your time and mix each color thoroughly.  Create a different color in each compartment.

5. When all of your colors are mixed, set the tray aside and allow the watercolor paints to dry for 1 to 2 days. Once they have dried and solidified you can use them to paint using a wet paintbrush and paper.

Helpful tips:
• You can substitute liquid food coloring for the gel, although the gel format food coloring tends to produce more vivid colors.
• Experiment mixing food coloring to create different shades.  Find very basic information on color mixing here:http://www.enchantedlearning.com/art/…