Ingredients
- 1 sheet of 140-pound, 9 by 12 inch watercolor paper
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 3 tablespoons liquid watercolor in 3 to 5 colors, or washable liquid craft paint mixed with water
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1 small bowl, 4 to 6 ounces, for the baking soda
- 3 to 5 small cups, 2 fluid ounces each, for the colors
- 1 medicine dropper or plastic pipette, 3 to 5 inches long
- 1 small paintbrush, about 1/4 inch wide
- 1 teaspoon measuring spoon
- 1 plastic tray or shallow baking sheet, about 10 by 14 inches
- 1 disposable table covering, at least 2 by 3 feet
- 1 pair of reusable household gloves, optional for sensitive hands
- 1 roll of painter’s tape, 3/4 inch wide, optional for holding the paper flat
- 1 clean water cup, 8 fluid ounces
- 1 stack of 3 to 5 paper towels
- 1 drying rack or flat shelf with at least 12 by 15 inches of clear space
- 1 simple 9 by 12 inch frame, optional for display
Instructions
- Cover the whole work surface with a disposable table covering.
- Place the plastic tray on the covered table and set the watercolor paper inside it. Tape only the four corners if the paper curls.
- Add 3 tablespoons of liquid watercolor to 3 to 5 small cups, dividing it evenly among them. If using washable craft paint, mix each with 1 tablespoon of water.
- Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the small bowl. Use the teaspoon to scatter a thin layer over the paper, leaving some white spaces.
- Load the dropper with one color and add small drops across the baking soda, working from one side toward the other and leaving space between drops.
- Rinse the dropper, fill it with 1/2 cup of white vinegar in small portions, and release one drop onto each colored spot.
- Use the 1/4 inch brush to nudge a little color toward an empty area if desired.
- Wait about 3 to 5 minutes for the first fizz to settle, then repeat with the remaining colors in different placements.
- If one section looks too dark, blot it with a paper towel and stop there.
- Tilt the tray slightly to check for puddles. Touch a paper towel to gather excess liquid if needed.
- Move the tray to a dry, level shelf for 12 to 24 hours to dry undisturbed.
- Once dry, gently brush away any loose baking soda.
- Place the artwork in a frame or leave it unframed for presentation.
- Clean up by rinsing the dropper, brush, and cups, and washing your hands.
Notes
Wear gloves if vinegar irritates your skin. Children should work with an adult for safety, especially while handling vinegar. Let the artwork dry fully before sealing it in a frame.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
