How to Make Finger Paint and Do Finger Painting

Read all of the steps before starting.

Step 1: Make Liquid Starch

Adult or teens only!! Caution: hot water and boiling water can burn.

• In a small saucepan, stir 3 tablespoons (40 ml) cornstarch into 3 tablespoons (40 ml) cold water. Stir to make a smooth paste with no lumps.
• Add 1 cup (250 ml) boiling water, stirring quickly to prevent lumps.
• Continue to stir until mixture starts to thicken and turns somewhat translucent. If needed, place the pan on the stove over low to medium heat, stirring continuously.
• Mix in 1/4 cup (60 ml) cold water. Place mixture in a screw-top jar and set aside to cool.

Tips:

• You can add a few drops of oil of clove or oil of spearmint as a preservative. The liquid starch mixture will keep longer with it. Add oil with the cold water in the last step.
• Any liquid starch mixture will work as a basis for finger paint. A flour and water mixture, laundry starch, or arrowroot may also be used.

Step 2: Prepare Paper

Cut a sheet of freezer paper that is at least 16" by 22" (40 by 55 centimeters). If needed, cover your work surface with plastic sheeting—finger painting is wet and sloppy!

Wet both sides of the paper thoroughly using a damp sponge, or wet the paper under a running faucet. Place the shiny side of the paper up. You can work on either the dull or shiny side of the paper, or use shiny white shelf paper. You will get different results with each side of the paper and each type of paper. Aunt Annie likes the shiny side of freezer wrap because the paint slides over it smoothly.

Note: There are also special finger painting papers with a glazed surface to hold the paint. They are available at school supply stores.

Step 3: Mix in Colors

Color is mixed into the liquid starch on the wet paper. While you can pre-mix finger paints in jars, you will get better shading results by mixing them on the paper. Pour one tablespoon (15 ml) of liquid starch mixture on the paper, then add paint to get the color desired. Use anywhere from 2 drops to 1 teaspoon of paint. Mix the color into the starch, then spread the paint evenly across the paper using the palm of the hand or the forearm.

For smaller paper sizes, reduce the amount of paint used. Paint applied too thickly can crack or peel when dry.

Step 4: Have Fun!

Use your fingers and the sides of your hands to make designs in the paint. You can erase the design and start over many times. If the paint becomes dry, squeeze a few drops of water from the sponge onto the paper and keep going!

When your painting is finished, lift it by two corners and place it flat on a newspaper to dry. If the paper curls, weigh down the sides with coins or washers. You can press dry paintings with a hot iron on the underside to make them lie flat.

Tips:

• Make long leaves by drawing the side of a hand held rigid across the paper.
• Make rose-like flowers by making curved petals with two fingers held together.
• Try various hand and finger positions to get different effects. Be creative!
• Use a comb or notched piece of cardboard to make textured backgrounds.