Salt Painting Art
Have you ever thought of adding salt to your artwork? It is true that not many people know about salt painting but it is a really effective technique increasingly used in schools and nurseries. Why not give it a try and see for yourself why it is so popular.
What is salt painting?
Salt itself is hygroscopic. This means that it has the ability to absorb both liquid and water vapour from the air. If you glue salt to a piece of card, and paint over it with watercolour paint, a chemical reaction will occur and the salt will absorb the water resulting in a raised textured effect.
You can use regular table salt or more granular chunky salt if available.
How do you do salt painting art
The simplest and most effective method for younger children is to:
• Add a design to your paper or card
• Follow along the lines with some clear PVA glue
• Pour salt over it and gently shake off any excess
• Let it dry before painting
• Use liquid watercolour paint to add pops of colour
• Carefully place or lay your brush over the raised salt surface
• Watch as the salt soaks up the colour
• Dry and display
You may like to carefully add a second layer of glue to help seal the salt into surface for maximum durability.
We suggest letting the glue dry before painting as younger artists may accidentally disturb or move the lines of glue affecting the final image before they have dried.
However, as skill levels develop, you could try painting salt straight away. As you do so you will see the paint literally travel along the line of salt as it sucks up the water.
What kind of paint do you use for salt painting art?
It is best if you use liquid watercolour paint or even diluted food colouring for painting salt. This is because the water will readily be absorbed by the salt crystals. You can also use acrylic paints but you will need to have watered them down to create a similar consistency.
Check out our Paint Supplies.
What children learn from salt
painting?
One of the benefits of adding salt to artwork is that it a great way to combine art and science at the same time. Teachers often use it as a visual way to teach children about the process of absorption.
Salt painting for kids is a fabulous way to demonstrate the different types of painting you can enjoy. Younger children will love the feel and the texture particularly, whilst it may prompt conversations and questions from older children as to the science behind the process. Regardless they will have fun and enjoy time spent on this activity.
One of the benefits of adding salt to artwork is that it a great way to combine art and science at the same time. Teachers often use it as a visual way to teach children about the process of absorption.
Salt painting is such a great way to explore a child’s creativity so please do share your pictures with us on our social media pages or follow us at @bakerrossltd for lots of great tips and ideas.
Try this fun painting technique using salt, PVA glue and watercolour paints. Not sure what to paint? Don’t forget you can always use one of our FREE downloadable templates from the Baker Ross Creative Station.
