Paint is the coloring material preferred for arts, crafts, and large structures such as homes and furniture. When applied, it produces robust permanent coatings, which give it an edge over other coloring means. The coatings, hardening when they dry, also function as a protective covering, adding years to the useful life of painted items. Given the number of possible applications where it can be used, making a can of paint is certainly a good idea.
Paint may look like a complex product, with its multiple functions, but in truth, it is so easy to make. You just have to mix its components until you get the right color and consistency. Upon mixing, your homemade paint is ready to use, depending on the type you plan to prepare. You can then start coloring crafts, beautifying home structures or even painting masterpieces ala Michelangelo, if you’re artistic.
Types of Paint
The issue with many paint types is, they are hazardous to humans and to the environment. You can eliminate the hazards and make paint using natural materials. By doing so, the whole family can enjoy your creation. Even the kids can use it, with minimal risks. Here are the different types of paint that you can prepare:
safe paint
Milk and Dye Paint
Milk and Food Color Paint
Chalk Paint
Flour Finger Paint
Powdered Paint-Based Enamel
All five types do not have complex procedures, so you won’t likely encounter problems preparing them. The materials are also easy to find. A single trip to a hardware store, the grocery or a school supplies store should take of the materials needed.
Milk and Dye Paint
Milk is a common base for natural paints, given its slightly rich consistency. When mixed with linseed oil and dye, it can resemble the appearance and thickness of actual craft paint (For other uses of Milk, read 15 Unusual uses for Milk). Milk and dye paint is simple to prepare, though after its creation, you’ll have to wait about a day or two before using.
Materials Used:
milk and dye paint
1 gallon skim milk
1 qt linseed oil
1/2 cup salt
2 cups builders lime
dye
cheesecloth
mixing bowl
airtight container
Procedure:
Pour the skim milk, linseed oil, salt, lime and dye in a mixing bowl. Stir the mixture thoroughly. Remember to pour the dye slowly, so you can arrive at your desired color.
Run the mixture through a cheesecloth until it has been completely strained.
Pour the homemade paint in an airtight container and store in a cool dry place.
If you placed too much dye, add milk to make the color lighter. Stir the solution, so the color settles, before deciding to add more milk.
Milk and Food Color Paint
Milk and food color paint comes as an alternative to milk and dye paint. Its color may not stick as long as its dye-based counterpart, but it’s a bit easier to remove. It is also ready-to-use, which is perfect for immediate projects. Since milk and food color paint is pretty simple to prepare, you can make it anytime you choose.
Materials Used:
milk and food color paint
1 pack powdered skim milk
food coloring
water
mixing bowl
cheesecloth
container with lid
Procedure:
Pour the milk in a mixing bowl.
Carefully add water and the food coloring until you get your desired color.
Stir the mixture thoroughly.
Once done, strain the solution using a cheesecloth then stir it again.
Place the homemade paint in a container with lid.
Aside from using food coloring, you can also use the tint generated from herbs and other natural sources. They will blend well with the combination of milk and water.
Chalk Paint
Chalk not only creates impressions on blackboards, you can use it as well for making craft paint. The blackboard accessory, when crushed and mixed with water, becomes a thin paste for simple painting applications. Its procedure is slightly more tedious than the previous two, but still quite easy.
Materials Used:
chalk paint
1 chalk stick
grater
water
mixing bowl
container with lid
Procedure:
Use the grater to scrape dust from the chalk stick.
Collect the dust in a mixing bowl and slowly add water. Balance the amounts of chalk dust and water until you arrive at your desired color.
Mix the solution until the color settles.
Once done, store the paint in container with lid.
Among the different types of natural paint, chalk paint is the easiest to remove. Just splash some water on the paint, scrub it and it will eventually fade, making painting errors quick to delete or edit. You can also use it in conjunction with the other paint types, if you want to create faint impressions.
Flour Finger Paint
Finger paint is a coloring material tailor-made for kids. The paint, made from non-toxic materials, is a popular means for teaching kids the basic concepts of art. With the use of their fingers, kids can create their own paintings or color simple crafts. You just need flour, some salt and powdered tempera paint to prepare finger paint.
Materials Used:
flour finger paint
1 cup flour
powdered tempera paint
2 tbsp salt
1 1/2 cups cold water
1 1/2 cups hot water
pan
container with cover
oven
Procedure:
Set the oven at low or medium heat.
Put the flour and salt in the pan then mix.
Carefully, pour the cold water while stirring the solution. Continue stirring until the cold water settles.
Slowly add the hot water. Mix the solution until it is smooth.
Once done, slowly add the powdered tempera paint until you get your desired color. Mix the solution thoroughly until the color settles.
Store the finger paint in a covered container.
Refrigerate when not using the finger paint.
If you don’t have powdered tempera paint, you can substitute it with food coloring. The hue may not be as robust as the one produced by tempera paint, but the difference is hardly noticeable.
Powdered Paint-Based Enamel
For those who want paint for more serious applications like painting fixtures and ornamental crafts, you can create an enamel using powdered paint, glue and starch. Not all of the paint’s components are natural, so keep the finished product away from kids.
Materials Used:
8 tbsp powdered paint
2 tbsp liquid starch
1 tbsp glue
3 drops oil of cloves
mixing bowl
container with cover
Procedure:
Put the powdered paint, liquid starch, glue and the oil of cloves in a mixing bowl.
Stir the mixture until it thickens.
Add some water if the color is too dark then stir the mixture.
Store the paint in a covered container.
If you have trouble finding oil of cloves in the grocery, you can visit a drugstore. There you will surely find a bottle.
Paint the Town Green with Envy
Making paint is a worthwhile experience, since it has tons of uses and will certainly be enjoyed by the whole family. With your creation, you can any dull item into a picturesque object, worthy to be displayed in your home. Your kids can even hone their artistic sides using natural paint. Pretty soon, you and the family will be painting the town green with envy. If you enjoy learning this article, you’ll surely be delighted on reading how to make face paint.