Kids' craft: homemade paint and hand print painting

It was Father's Day here on Sunday and we've started a tradition in our house of including at least one handmade gift for daddy. I found this great idea for making a tree out of the hand prints of two children, so we gave it a go.

We made our own paint from edible ingredients, see this post for instructions:
http://richesandroses.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/cornflour-paint.html

Lesley :)

Cornflour paint

This is a picture of my daughter's first artwork, done when she was not even three months old (she's now 2). We're about to do our second attempt now with her little brother, and the memories of my partner and I sitting on the kitchen floor in the apartment we were renting back then, trying to control those little hands and feet that could not stop moving, all flood back. We were all covered in red and yellow after that!

At our house we love using homemade art and craft supplies as much as we can, and this paint is a real favourite. Not only do you know exactly what the ingredients are, but if the little artist samples it, you know that they're safe (although possibly a bit loopy from the food colouring).

To make it, mix one tablespoon of cornflour with one tablespoon of cold water until flour is dissolved, then add a cup of boiling water. Stir until it thickens. If it doesn't thicken enough, either put it on the stove and bring it to the boil, or add some more cornflour (don't forget to dissolve it in cold water first). Then stir through a few drops of food colouring.

The paint works well on blank canvas and good thick paper, but because it's water based it doesn't dry as well on thin paper. If you make a really thick batch, it's great for fingerpaint.

Missing finger and all, out of all my daughter's paintings this is my favourite.