Recipe for Clay Paint

By Bill And Athena Steen
Published on April 1, 2001
article image
Photo courtesy BILL STEEN
Making your own paint offers a chance for creativity and personal involvement in wall finishes.

Step 1: Making a Starch Paste 

Add 1 part white flour to 2 parts cold water, and set aside. Boil 1 1/2 parts water. When boiling, add the above mixture of flour and cold water.

Turn heat to low, continue to cook until the mixture thickens. Continually stir the bottom to prevent burning.

Step 2: Making the Paint

For every 1 part starch paste, dilute with 2 parts water. That will make the paste liquid enough to permit adding the other ingredients.

Next, add enough colored clay or white kaolin clay with pigments to achieve a consistency that will spread easily with a brush. It is difficult to describe, but we look for a mixture that will cover in two coats. The right consistency will be like thick cream. Mica can be added to simulate clays that have naturally occurring mica. Fine (screened) chopped straw can also be added. If adding either or both, add less clay since the mica and straw will also thicken the mix.

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