What Plant Paint Is
Plant paint is a watercolour-style paint made by extracting colour from plant material into water, concentrating that liquid, and mixing it with a binder so it sticks to paper. It is the same basic idea as natural dyeing. The results are often soft and earthy, and part of the appeal is the slow, hands-on process.
Expect something different from commercial paint. Plant colours are usually less intense and less consistent, and many fade over time. That makes them well suited to experiments, sketchbook pages and craft projects rather than work meant to last for years. For ordinary watercolor paints, see watercolor supplies for beginners.
Plants That Give Colour
Commonly used sources include:
- Turmeric: yellow to orange.
- Yellow or red onion skins: golden, orange or brownish tones.
- Beetroot: pink to red, though it often shifts to brown.
- Spinach or nettles: muted greens.
- Rose petals and berries (such as elderberry): pinks and purples, which can be unstable.
- Avocado stones and skins: soft pinks and peachy tones.
- Coffee and tea: browns.
- Black beans: blue-grey to purple-brown in some cases.
Results depend on the plant, the water and how you process it, so try a small batch before using a lot of material. Do not use berries or plants you cannot identify with confidence. Pokeweed, sometimes mentioned in craft sources, is toxic, so avoid handling it casually and keep it away from children and food areas.
What You Need
- Plant material
- Water
- A small pot and wooden spoon (ideally ones you will not use for cooking)
- A fine sieve or coffee filter
- A glass jar with a lid
- A binder such as gum arabic (see below)
- Paper and a brush for testing
Step-by-Step Recipe
- Gather your plant material. Chop or crush it so the colour can escape.
- Fill the pot about halfway with plant material and cover with water, leaving at least an inch of water above the plant matter.
- Heat gently. Bring it to a low simmer without a hard boil. Delicate petals can be steeped in hot water off the heat instead, to avoid damaging the colour.
- Test the colour. Dip a brush or a paper strip in and let it dry. Timing varies by plant, so test as you go.
- Strain through the sieve or filter into a clean pot or jar.
- Concentrate. Simmer the strained liquid gently until it darkens and reduces. Stronger liquid gives stronger paint.
- Add a binder once cooled slightly, a little at a time, testing on paper after each addition.
- Store in a clean glass jar.
Binders and Preservatives
A binder holds the pigment to the paper and gives the liquid body. Gum arabic is the traditional watercolour binder. Honey and glycerin are sometimes used in homemade recipes, and they can make the dried paint stay slightly tacky. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste, testing on paper.
Because plant liquids can grow mold, some makers add a whole clove or a small amount of vinegar, and store the paint in the fridge. This helps, but it does not make the paint last indefinitely, so make small batches.
Paint From Leaves
Leaves usually give muted greens, yellows or browns, and some produce surprising shades once processed. Chop them finely and simmer or steep as above. Greens from leaves like spinach tend to turn olive or brown quickly, so test a small amount first. Another simple option is to crush fresh leaves or petals onto paper to leave a quick stain.
Edible Paint
Some people want paint that is safe for small children to handle. Kitchen-based paints made from food-grade ingredients such as turmeric or beetroot are often described as edible, but “made from food” does not mean tasty or appropriate for eating. Supervise young children closely, watch for allergies, and do not reuse tools that touched non-food materials. If you want a truly edible product, look for recipes written for food use rather than art.
Traditional Use
Many cultures, including Indigenous peoples of North America, have long made paints and dyes from plants, minerals and other natural materials, often combined with binders such as animal fat or plant gums. The specific materials, methods and meanings varied widely between nations and regions. For accurate detail on a particular people, look for sources from the communities themselves, museums or cultural organisations.
Fading, Storage and Safety
- Fading: Many plant pigments are not lightfast and fade, especially in sunlight. Keep finished work out of direct light, and treat it as ephemeral.
- Storage: Keep jars clean, labelled and dated. Throw out any that smell or show mold.
- Safety: Never forage plants you cannot identify, and check for allergies. Wash hands after handling, and keep craft tools separate from food tools.
- Surfaces: Natural paint can stain clothing and counters. Cover your workspace.
Using Plant Paint Creatively
Plant paint is a good fit for loose, experimental work. Try swatching each batch on a page, or use it for a daily painting challenge built around one colour source a day. The unpredictable results also suit an open-ended, intuitive painting session. For habits that carry across all kinds of painting, see how to improve your painting.
FAQ
Do I need gum arabic? It is the standard binder, but you can try small amounts of honey or glycerin. Results differ, so test.
How long does plant paint last? Usually days to a few weeks, depending on storage and preservatives. Dried swatches last longer than liquid paint.
What paper works best? Watercolour paper handles water and holds colour well, though any paper is fine for experiments.