There’s a very cool image making the rounds on Pinterest, from a blog called Chalk In My Pocket. It’s made using watercolour paint, glue and salt, and involves squirting, painting and sprinkling with the kind of freedom that kids love. It also makes you want to try it out yourself. While I’ve explored salt paintings before, adding glue, which acts as a resist, creates wonderful texture. And isolating small areas by cutting out shapes, opens up all sorts of possibilities.
Materials
- watercolour paper
- watercolour paints
- paint brushes
- Elmers Clear or Blue School Glue Gel
- salt
- circle punch
Instructions
I was unable to track down Elmer’s Blue School Gel locally, so I settled for the clear one. I’m not sure if the blue one reacts differently with the paint, or simply acts as a barrier like this clear one, but either way, wonderful textures are created. Whether you use pan, tube, or liquid watercolour paints, remember to vary the intensity of the colour for more interesting results.
1. Drizzle and squirt some glue onto a sheet of watercolour paper. Allow to dry overnight.
2. Paint over the dried glue with watercolour paints. Sprinkle salt on sections of the painting while it is still wet. Once it dries, you’ll notice how the salt absorbs the surrounding water and pushes the pigment away, leaving behind a white, speckled effect.
3. Once the paint has dried, use a cloth or dry sponge to gently remove the salt. Notice all the great textures that have been created.
4. Using a circle punch, cut out as many circles as you can. We used a one inch punch, but any size will work. Hang on to them for next week’s project!
ArtClubBlog 
Beautiful paper! I’ve always loved working with marbled and textured paper and this project looks like a lot of fun!
Thanks so much Laurie. I also really enjoy working with all those wonderful papers you’ve mentioned.
That’s such an amazing effect, and the colours are beautiful!
Thank you! I loved how this turned out, and may just start going through the kitchen cupboards for potential ingredients to experiment with. You never know…
Man, I’ve got to wait until next week to find out what to do with the circles? That is going to make it a loooong week! Awesome painting! I have seen this type of craft before, just never tried it, but your post makes me want to run out and get all the supplies! Thanks for sharing! 🙂 Pop on over to my blog to see what I made with melted pony beads when you get the chance! http://www.nikitaland.wordpress.com
Awwwww, thanks so much! Hope to see you next week:)
Gorgeous! I love the textured effect. Can’t wait to see what your plans are for the circles!
Thanks Ana!
Beautiful effect! Thanks for sharing how you did it!
Glad you came by Katie!
Cool- pinned it and waiting to see what you do with it.
Thanks so much for the pinning!
gorgeous!
Why thank you 🙂
ooo that is fun! My son would love this project. Thanks for sharing at Tasteful Tuesdays this week! Do you sew or know someone who does? I have a fabulous pattern sale (18 patterns for under $25) and giveaway going on right now.http://www.nap-timecreations.com/2013/02/sew-fab-e-pattern-sale-and-giveaway.html
I do sew, but only if I have to 😉 Good luck with your sale!
Thanks for the email — your project came out great! We did some heart cutouts a few years ago and I’m interested to see where you go with your circle punchouts!
Thanks Regina, and a big thank you for the inspiration!
These papers are just fabulous! They remind me of stained glass windows. Thanks so very much for sharing how you got this look. I saw your post over at “Southern Lovely”.
Thank Miss Kitty! They were so fun and easy to make 🙂
So pretty! I pinned it!
Thanks so much Diana!
What a cool technique and project. Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks so much for visiting!
Oooh, very fun project!
Thanks Becca!
This is a really interesting project. I can’t wait to see what you do with the circles, so I’m going to make a guess. Will you glue them onto heavy paper to create an interesting decoration on the front of a greeting card?
It would be great if you linked up with Hobbies and Handicrafts.
http://highhillhomeschool.blogspot.com/2013/02/hobbies-and-handicrafts-feb-8.html
Thanks Julie. Greeting cards definitely crossed my mind 🙂
I love this! But, I love all watercolor projects. I can’t wait to see what next week’s project is! And, thanks for linking up at the oldies party last week. I am pinning this!
Thanks Nancy!
The results are just eye popping. I am loving it. We use water colors a lot, but never in this way. Just pinned!
Thank you so much Vicki!
I love these! I’m interested to see what you create with the circles.
I clicked over from the Two Girls and a Party link up.
Glad you came by Abby.
I’m pinning this also. Nice work. Linda
That’s wonderful. Thanks!
Love this, but I have a question…dumb question maybe. In the after one it looks like the glue is gone on the paper. Do you peel it off or does it spread out during the night when it dries. It just doesn’t look raised in the after photo. Am I missing a step??
I didn’t remove the glue, but you’re right, it doesn’t stay as raised once dry. Maybe other glues will, but if you’re cutting the artwork afterwards (eg.circle punch), it becomes more difficult with thick glue. If you’re keeping it intact, then you could experiment with other glues to see if they remain more raised, like the blue gel, which I wasn’t able to find. Good luck!
I used to do this when I was little with my aunt; I’d forgotten about this technique and how fun it can be!
Go for it!
So happy to feature this oldie but a goodie today! Stop by and grab a button!
http://www.dosmallthingswithlove.com
Nancy
Oooh that’s wonderful! Thanks Nancy.
I found you from Diana Rambles Party! I host Fluster Creative Muster Party on Wednesdays and I would love it if you would come by and party with us. Hope to see you there!
Hugs, Smiles, and Blessings,
Robin
Fluster Buster
Thanks for visiting Robin, and for letting me know about your party. Looking forward to it.
That’s a beautiful painting! I’m thinking I need a giant one to hang on my living room wall. Every time I visit this page I end up adding another project to my to do list 🙂 lol
Thanks for sharing at Sharing Saturday.
Thank you! A big one on the wall sounds like a great idea.
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Thanks so much for the feature!
Love this idea! It has inspired me to create garland using this technique…I will be sharing this over at my Pinterest and featuring you tonight at Creative Juice…
Thanks for sharing last week,
Nicolette
Thanks so much for the feature Nicolette!
Thank you for submitting yet another fun project to the Crafty Showcase! Congrats on being in the Feature Friday post, too! xoxo susie @bowdabra
Ps- here is the newest linky! We have a new Button! http://bowdabrablog.com/2013/02/16/crafty-showcase-link-up-anything-fun-in-the-craft-project-linky/
Thanks so much Susie!
Very nice and beautiful!
Thank you Sofia 🙂
very beautiful
Thank you very much 🙂
this look so nice, I like this very much:)
Thank you so much 🙂
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thank you for this so nice to learn something new 😀 {{HUGS}}
Thank you Liz!
Would using regular white glue work? Would it affect the end result?
Once dry, white glue would act as a resist and add interesting textures, just like this one. But as I mentioned in the post, this was originally made by someone using Elmer’s Blue School Glue, and may react with the paint, as well as acting as a resist. Maybe you’ll be able to track it down! I’d recommend experimenting with different glues to see how it turns out.
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I love the colors you used in the above watercolor. Salt glue and watercolor. I might try this. I will have to read this later. I am half asleep. ttyl mary
It will still be here when wake up 😉 Have a good sleep!
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Nice blog
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Gorgeous and creative!!
Thanks so much!
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