Quick answer
Draw with glue on paper, cover with table salt, shake off excess, then drop watercolor onto the salt lines for a spreading color effect.
Key takeaways
- Draw with glue on paper, cover with table salt, shake off excess, then drop watercolor onto the salt lines for a spreading color effect.
- You need thick paper or cardstock, white school glue, table salt, liquid watercolors or food coloring, and a dropper or brush.
- Squeeze glue in patterns, letters, or simple pictures.
- Sprinkle table salt generously over wet glue.
- Touch a wet brush or dropper of watercolor to the salt lines.
Setup and Materials
You need thick paper or cardstock, white school glue, table salt, liquid watercolors or food coloring, and a dropper or brush. Cover the table with newspaper. This project is messy but washes up with water.
Drawing with Glue
Squeeze glue in patterns, letters, or simple pictures. Thicker lines hold more salt and color. Work on one section at a time so glue does not dry before you salt it.
Adding Salt
Sprinkle table salt generously over wet glue. Cover every shiny spot. Lift the paper and tap off extra salt into a tray for reuse. Unused salt can look gray from glue, so keep a clean bowl for food.
Painting with Color
Touch a wet brush or dropper of watercolor to the salt lines. Color spreads along the salt by capillary action. Use one color at a time for clear effects. Let dry flat 24 hours before hanging.
Step-by-Step
- Draw with glue
Make a simple design with thick glue lines on cardstock.
- Cover with salt
Sprinkle table salt over all wet glue. Tilt and tap off excess into a tray.
- Add color
Drop watercolor onto salt lines and watch it spread.
- Dry flat
Leave the paper on a flat surface overnight. Peaks of salt may flake if bumped.
- Display carefully
Spray with clear fixative optional. Handle by edges so salt crystals stay put.