Papermaking

 

papermaking studio safetygeneral studio safety

Float Paints

 

 

 

 

 

 
  • Several colors of ink or paint are sprinkled onto the surface of the size. They float on the surface because they are lighter than the thickened water.
  • Thin the paints to the consistency of whole milk in a paper cup.
  • With an eye-dropper, lay the paint on the surface of the "size" as gently as possible. The drop should spread out to a circle 2 to 3 inches in size.
  •  As the paint spreads out on the surface some may sink to the bottom - its OK as long as most of it stays on the surface.
  • If too much seems to be sinking, thin the paint a bit more.
  • If the drop spreads out too far, thicken the paint. Keep adding paint to the surface until they seem intense.
  • As you add new colors, the ones added previously will intensify as they are pushed together.
  • You can add new colors next to, or on top of the ones already there. The colors don't mix, but rather stay separate.
  • You can remove the paint and start over by laying newspaper on the surface to pick up all the paint from the surface.

© Beth LaCour 2001-2003