Mix heaping spoonfuls of Epsom salt with liquid watercolors and a little water to make a grainy, sparkly paint. Kids brush or pour it onto paper, and it dries into shimmering, textured process art.
Put a couple of heaping tablespoons of Epsom salt into each of 6 small bowls.
Set out brushes and a cup of water for rinsing.
Add a different liquid watercolor to each bowl, plus just a bit of water.
Stir and keep adding color until the paint is spreadable yet grainy.
Paint on paper, scooping up plenty of salt with each stroke.
Try painting different colors side by side to see the textures.
For pour painting, pour the colors onto the paper in a pattern and blend them with brushes.
Let the paintings dry flat and watch the salt crystals shine.
The author isn't sure. The salt tends to fall off once the paint dries. She has seen people spray this kind of art with a sealant, possibly hair spray, but hasn't tested it.
The author warns that the salt tends to fall off once dry. One reader suggested adding PVA glue to the paint to help it stick, but nobody reported trying it.
The author's food color and water version looked beautiful, but kids had to scoop out the salt. Liquid watercolors gave a more vibrant paint with a better, grainy texture.
💬 7 comments ✍️ 2 answered by the author
“Could we paint this on canvas and hang it, or will the salt fall off once dry?” · gina
Author The salt tends to fall off once the paint dries. The author has seen people spray this kind of art with a sealant but isn't sure it works.
✨ Readers' twist
A reader mixed Epsom salt with corn syrup and food coloring instead. It needs a few hours to dry and works best where humidity is low.
“I mixed the Epsom salt with corn syrup and food coloring to your desired consistency.”
🛠️ Troubleshooting
A reader asked if a canvas version could hang on the wall. The author replied that the salt tends to fall off once the paint dries.
“…if we did this on a canvas could we hang it on the wall or would the salt fall off once dry?”
✨ Readers' twist
One reader suggested mixing some PVA glue into the paint so the salt stays on the paper. This is an untested idea, not a reported result.
“Maybe adding some pva glue into the paint mixture might help it stick.”
Read all 7 comments
Sweetie · Apr 2019
I saw this wonderful idea for the Epsom salt paint. I mixed the Epsom salt with corn syrup and food coloring to your desired consistency. . Paint and let dry for a few hours. It creates a beautifully shimmery effect. Works great in areas with low humidity.
Karina · Jul 2014
It looks lovely. Maybe adding some pva glue into the paint mixture might help it stick. I think I will try it.
Christinna Jordan · May 2014
Hi, I like your idea, it will double the beauty of art. keep it up
gina · Jul 2013
This looks like so much fun! When you say you dont know how to preserve it do you mean "keep forever" or "keep for a week and hang on a wall"? I guess I am wondering if we did this on a canvas could we hang it on the wall or would the salt fall off once dry?
TurkeyMomAuthor · Jul 2013 · replying to gina
Yes Gina, the salt tends to fall off once the paint dries. But I have seen people spray this kind of art with a sealant.. I'm not sure though. I should look into it because the art turns out pretty colorful!
TurkeyMomAuthor · Jul 2013 · replying to jackie
Ooh thank you Jackie. It'd be cool if we figure a way to save them. I loved the shiny art the kid made.
jackie · Jul 2013
I'm not sure how you would preserve it either, but oh my, this is beautiful!