PAINT MIXING TIPS

1.    Jars with tight lids are preferred as evaporation causes the paint to thicken.

2.    Use powder tempera paint and mix in an almost equal amount of water or liquid starch. The starch helps to make the paint thicker, keep better, go on more smoothly, and adhere better. A little dry wheat paste will do the same. Add 1 tablespoon of dry wheat paste to ½ pint of powdered paint.

3.    Whether using water or starch or some of both, the paint should be the consistency of thick cream—thick enough that one cannot see the paper through it, and if painted on a vertical surface it does not run down, but thin enough to flow easily. If it is too thin, it is difficult to control and lacks brilliance.

4.    When mixing, never add tempera to water. A good method is to put a pint can of powder paint in a quart jar and fill the jar with liquid starch. Screw lid securely and shake well. When it is time to paint, put some of this mixture in a small jar and thin it with water. Keep filling the quart jar with starch. Add to adhere to glossy metal, wax cartons or cups, cellophane or foil. Soap will also help keep the paint from staining the children’s clothes.

5.    To prevent a sour smell in powder paint, add a little oil of wintergreen, cloves, or peppermint.

6.    Powder paint can be made glossy by mixing in a little evaporated milk or glycerin.

7.    To mix a pastel color, start with white powder and gradually add the color to it until the desired tint is reached. Then add liquid.

8.    To keep colors clean, encourage using one brush for each color. If a child wants to mix colors, suggest finger painting or set up for him or her in another area (a great way to use leftover paints).

9.    To mix a pastel color, start with white powder and gradually add the color to it until the desired tint is reached. Then add liquid.

10.    When painting rocks, add about 2 tablespoons of Elmer’s Glue to a small jar of paint and stir mixture. This will make the paint adhere, brighten the colors, and give a little gloss.

11.    Keep jars not more than one-third (1/3) full because of unavoidable spills.

12.    The smaller the child, the thicker the paint should be.

13.    Colors—only three or four for the younger child and the full range by age 5. Include at times vivid colors and pastels as well as black, brown and gray.

Source:

ART FOR THE FUN OF IT: A GUIDE FOR TEACHING YOUNG CHILDREN
by Peggy Jenkins