Last week we set up our outdoor craft table and pulled together everything we needed to make egg paint. This was the first time I have tried this. I read several different sets of instructions, and ended up deciding not to get too fussy with the details. The timing was perfect, because we are due for a new set of pastels.
Egg paint is a combination of ground chalk pastels, egg yolk, and water. So the supply list is short: pastels, eggs, water, something to grind the pastels in such as a bowl and smooth stone or a mortar and pestle, mini muffin tins or some other vessel to hold your paints, and of course paper and paintbrushes.
Step one is to start grinding your pastels. Grind one color at a time, transfering the powder to the vessels you are using and cleaning your grinding tools between colors.
This is what your powder should look like.
Next, start separating eggs. The amount you need will depend on how much paint you are making. I think we used about eight eggs.
We beat each egg yolk individually, adding a teaspoon or two of water to each yolk to thin it a bit. You could beat them all together, adding more water all at once, but my kids all wanted a turn, so we did one at a time.
You add some of the yolk water mixture to each cup of ground pastel, stirring it up to mix. This is not an exact science (or at least it wasn’t for us). We just filled each muffin tin about halfway, maybe a little less or a little more depending on how much chalk we were mixing it with.
My kids definitely enjoyed making this paint just as much as they did painting with it, if not more.
But they did have a good time painting. They painted lots of scary morbid stuff.
Swamp Monster
Tornado complete with whirling bodies and fallen trees. Notice that Seth rated this tornado an F2.
Gabriel painted a tornado as well. Seth helped him by adding the rating (F5-my goodness!) and the wind speed (300 mph). If you want to look it up, you’ll see that Seth was right that a tornado with 300 mph winds is rated an F5. He knows a lot of crazy stuff like that.
We left this paint out all day and came back periodically to play with the colors.
seth says
I like knowing crazy stuff like that 🙂
It does get a little annoying sometimes when everyone is asking me questions though 🙁
angelina says
ahhaa – love it. inspired.
Parisa says
Ginny!How much fun is the egg paint. I wish I could have been there to paint.
crispy says
Such a beautiful life you are giving your kids. I love the photos.
regan says
this project has been on my to do list for weeks now. the sickies pushed it back a bit, but after seeing these beautiful pictures i can't wait to try it!!
V says
Oh my goodness gracious!LOVE the photos on this post! You have a true talent for making a pretty average set of events look AMAZING through your photos.And the idea for making the paints is great :)P.s. I think you should do a post on what lens/aperature/iso, etc you used to get each shot for those out there who are into photography. 🙂
6riddles says
Great project! I'll have to try this.Thanks for the idea.Found you by chance today through SouleMama's blog. I look forward to visiting you again
Annie says
Beautiful, beautiful pictures.You know – this could be a book. I mean, a collection of your children's crafts. The photos are so lovely and just make you want to try the craft.
Allison says
It looks like they had so much fun! Seth sounds like the most brilliant young boy! They are truly fortunate to have such a loving mom, good job with them! What child wouldn't flourish in the environment that you have at your home?
godlover says
What a fun project! It looks like everyone had a blast.. I loved the tornadoes. I thought that was unique. You don't ever have tornadoes around your area, do you? I hope not because then I'll worry every time I hear of one near you. I think I want you to adopt me so I can do all these creative, fun things you have your kids do.