Ingredients
- 1 sheet of 9 by 12 inch cold-press watercolor paper, 140-pound weight
- 2 tablespoons of granulated white sugar
- 1 tablespoon of warm water, plus up to 1 teaspoon more if needed
- 1 small watercolor set with at least 4 colors
- 1 small mixing bowl, 4 to 6 fluid ounces
- 1 teaspoon measuring spoon
- 1 small round paintbrush, size 4 to 6
- 1 second small round paintbrush, size 2 to 4 (optional, for fine lines)
- 1 cup of clean water, 8 fluid ounces
- 1 ceramic plate or plastic palette, 6 to 8 inches wide
- 1 pencil, standard number 2 (optional, for a light sketch)
- 1 piece of wax paper, 12 by 16 inches
- 1 small stack of paper towels, about 6 sheets
- 1 pair of disposable nitrile gloves, medium or large (optional)
- 1 sheet of plain scrap paper, 8.5 by 11 inches
Instructions
- Cover the table first with wax paper or another washable barrier.
- Set up your small work area with the necessary materials within easy reach.
- Mix the sugar solution by adding 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1 tablespoon of warm water to the small bowl, and stir until mostly dissolved.
- Test the mixture by brushing a small 2 by 2 inch square on the scrap paper to check for the correct consistency.
- Choose a simple design and lightly sketch it with a pencil on the watercolor paper.
- Brush on the sugar water, working in areas of about 3 by 3 inches.
- Let the surface become tacky for about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Add watercolor while the surface is lightly tacky, using a modest amount of diluted color.
- Build color in thin passes, letting the first color settle for 5 to 10 minutes before adding more.
- Allow for small imperfections and let the painting dry flat for 2 to 4 hours, or overnight for thicker layers.
- Once dry, brush away any loose sugar crystals and clean up your workspace.
Notes
Keep leftover sugar solution out of the sink if it contains paint and supervise children during the process.
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
