Creating watercolor paints from scratch is one of the most satisfying parts of the creative process for MarenaART.
It’s a chance to control every ingredient, avoid unnecessary chemicals, and mix colors that feel deeply personal, rich, and meaningful.
In this post, MarenaART walks you through her exact method step by step. If you’re curious about making your own natural watercolor set, she hopes this guide gives you the inspiration and confidence to try it yourself.
Contents
Gathering the Ingredients for Natural Watercolor Paints
Before diving into the mixing process, the artist first talks about the ingredients. Each one plays a specific role in the texture and performance of the paint.
Here’s what is used to make this eco-friendly binder:
- Less than ¼ cup of honey: This helps the paint flow more smoothly.
- A few drops of glycerin: It adds flexibility to the dried paint.
- A few drops of clove oil: This is a natural preservative to keep the paints fresh longer.
- ½ cup of Gum Arabic powder: This is the binder that holds the pigment together.
- 1 cup of hot water: Used this to dissolve the gum Arabic powder and blend everything.
All ingredients are mixed together and stored in a glass container. It is a simple combination, but it works beautifully. The measurements can be followed as listed or adjusted slightly depending on the needs.
Tools The Artist Needs for Mixing the Paints
Now that the binder is ready, it’s time to gather a few tools. Don’t worry—nothing fancy is required!
These are the tools the artist uses:
- Small containers or cups
- Tablespoons or teaspoons for measuring
- A mixing stick or spoon
Any clean cup or small bowl works perfectly.
Mixing the Natural Paint Base
With everything set up, the artist begins mixing the actual paints. This is where the magic happens.
Choosing Eco-Friendly Pigments
Natural earth pigments are used—safe, eco-friendly, and free of chemicals. This allows all tools to be washed without environmental concerns.
This makes the entire process feel more responsible and enjoyable.
Combining Pigment and Binder
Here is the exact method used to make each color:
- In the mixing container, less than ¼ teaspoon of whitening is added.
- Next, 1 teaspoon of pigment is added.
- Then, 1 teaspoon of the binder mixture is poured in.
- A few drops of glycerin and clove oil are added again.
- Everything is stirred together until the mixture becomes smooth.
The result is a creamy paint base—neither too thick nor too watery—just the texture preferred.
Adjusting Consistency and Color Strength
This part makes a difference. If more binder is used:
- More binder: The paint becomes creamier but less pigmented.
- Less binder: The color becomes stronger and more concentrated.
So the artist usually matches the amount of liquid to the amount of pigment in a 1:1 ratio. This creates a balanced paint with good coverage and richness. For softer, lighter colors, additional binder is added.
Making a Full Color Palette
Once one paint mixture is complete, the artist repeats the process to build a full palette. Six colors are created in this batch.
The Six Colors Created
Here’s the full set:
- Black: A solid, deep tone that anchors the set.
- White: Quite opaque! It even covers some of the pen lines beneath it.
- Red: Bold and vibrant.
- Yellow: A warm yellow with a bit of touch of ochre.
- Brown: Earthy and natural.
- Bluish: Calm and cool, perfect for shadows or winter scenes.
Each one is made using the same steps, just using different pigments. These six paints give me so much variety!
Small Batch, Big Possibilities
With only these six colors, countless beautiful shades can be mixed.
- White + any color = lovely pastel tones
- Black + any color = deeper, richer shades
These six paints are the only ones used for the winter series paintings. Creating an entire project with handmade paints feels incredibly rewarding.
Swatching and Testing the Paints
This step is always exciting—seeing how each paint behaves on paper.
How the Paints Look on Paper
Each of the six colors is swatched side by side. Here’s what stands out:
- The white paint is more opaque than typical watercolor—great for layering.
- The other colors flow smoothly and are easy to control.
- The textures vary depending on how much binder was used.
Every swatch helps reveal how the paint will perform in an actual artwork.
Exploring Color Mixing
Here’s a useful discovery from experimenting with these paints:
- Add white → pastel effects with less transparency
- Add black → bolder, more intense tones
Even with only six colors, endless combinations can be created.
Packaging Your Handmade Paints
The artist enjoys finishing the process by storing the paints in something cute and practical.
A small metal container is used to store the six paints. It keeps them neat, organized, and easy to carry around. Plus, it looks adorable.
For anyone making handmade paints, any small container on hand can be used. Labels can be added to the colors if desired.
The Bottom Line
Making watercolor paints at home is fun, rewarding, and surprisingly simple. With just a few natural ingredients, a vibrant and eco-friendly palette can be created—one that feels personal and meaningful.
Why not explore what colors can be mixed from natural pigments? Handmade paints add a unique touch to every artwork.