Natural Watercolor Kit

• Make your own professional quality, truly safe, light-fast, and vibrant watercolor paints 

• Our simple and time-tested ingredients combine to create an archival paint with excellent luminosity and coverage

Kit includes:

• 3 oz. packet of Gum Arabic

• 7 full watercolor pans for storage (29mm x 19mm x 10mm)

• 7 - 2 oz. packets of Earth & Mineral Pigments in Venetian Red, Orange Ochre, Yellow Ochre, Emerald Green, Ultramarine Blue, Ultramarine Purple and Burnt Sienna

• Complete Mixing Instructions

After mixing, how do they dry? 
For filling a watercolor pan or palette with liquid watercolor to dry, we recommend filling the pan 1/2 way, let that dry at least 24 hours and then fill the rest of the pan and let that dry fully. This prevents mold from growing in the drying process in humid areas. If you live in a dry area, you can fill the pan to the top. Once a pan of paint is dry it will last/be usable forever and will not spoil.

Is the watercolor paint archival? 
Watercolor paint made with these pigments and gum arabic and honey are the most archival paints you can make. The pigments last thousands of years and there are no additives or fillers to affect the quality and longevity of the paint. 

Are they lightfast? 
Yes, the lightfastness of paints is based completely on the lightfastness of the pigments used in them. All natural earth pigments are lightfast, and you can see information and Safety Data Sheets for each pigment, click HERE.

How do I know what the ideal consistency is when mixing?
Start with the 1 to 1 ratio and if it's too dry or too liquidy you can adjust by adding more pigment or more liquid. The test is, mix a touch of the paint with water and brush it onto your watercolor paper. If it's too transparent for you, add more pigment, if it's too opaque for you, add more base.

How long do the watercolors last after mixing?
For storing liquid paints, storing them in a refrigerator will help extend the life a bit more - at least several weeks to a few months. The dried cakes will last forever. Liquid watercolors keep longer when you add a natural preservative such as sodium benzoate or a pure essential oil of clove. If kept in jars in liquid form, they will stay good for 1-3 months. The "watercolor base" mixture will stay good in a small glass jar in the refrigerator for about one year. 

How should I store the watercolors after mixing?
-Store in small airtight jars in refrigerator 
-Store in small, empty aluminum tubes (will last a little longer than small jars). 
-Dry into cakes in half or full pans or any small, shallow container (may take a few days to fully dry). Will stay good indefinitely.