Tammie Ann Creative - Making Watercolor Paint -

Making Watercolor Paint

Today I’m going to show you how to make watercolor paint with simple tools. The main ingredients are a binder, which can be bought pre-made or created using a provided recipe, and pigments. The process involves mixing equal parts of pigment and binder, followed by a thorough blending and smoothing process, the duration of which depends on the type of pigment used. Completed colors can be tested with a brush and should stay on paper when dry.

This post contains affiliate links so you can shop smarter and quicker. I’ll earn a small commission on any purchases you make through my links, and you don’t pay anything extra. Thank you for shopping through my links. You’re helping a small business and artist.

1 part watercolor binder (get the recipe down below)

Binder provides a liquid base that holds the pigment in a liquid form. You can mix your own or buy a pre-made binder. I have a recipe below for making your own. It’s not hard at all :).

ADD TO

1 part pigment – Some pigments will need more binder and some less. You will need to do some trial and error.

I’ve purchased the two pigment powder collections below. Both work well. You get less with the Chameleon Mica Powder, but they are more glittery and I think really pretty.

Rolio Mica Powders & Chameleon Mica Powder

Video on how to make watercolor paint at home

Step 1: Needed Items – Get all your items ready and in arms reach. Making paint can be a dirty job.

Rolio Mica Powders & Chameleon Mica Powder
Watercolor Binder (recipe below to make your own)
Palette Knife (many options on Amazon.
Tempered Plate Glass /Cutting Board
Glass Muller
Measuring Spoons
½ Pans, Pans, Tubes, Cards – to store finished paint
Airtight Container – for extra paint to keep it in liquid form.
Safety Mask / N95
Latex / Plastic Gloves
Paper Towels
Water Cup
Paint Brush & Watercolor Paper for Trial
Ox Gall – optional – helps with pigment movement.

Step 2: Safety

Mask up and put on latex/plastic gloves. Pigments are fine particles that you don’t want to end up in your system.

Step 3: Pigment & Binder

Place your selected amount of pigment in the middle of your tempered glass. Make a divot in the middle of the pigment. Add your binder inside the divot. (Equal Parts)

Step 4: Mixing

Use your palette knife to slowly mix the pigment and binder together. When all the pigment is wet move onto the next step.

Step 5: Mulling

Use your glass muller to mix everything more. The heavy muller will break down things more and smooth things out. Use your pallet knife to move things around as needed.

Depending on the pigment you have it can take longer. Some pigments take 10 to 30 minutes while others can take hours. Colors are completed when they easily go onto your brush and when dry stay on the paper.