Painting with spices is a sensory-rich art activity that uses the natural colors, scents, and textures of herbs and spices. It’s simple to set up and surprisingly fun.
What you’ll need
- A variety of spices
- A binding agent (we use water)
- Small cups or containers
- Paper
- Paintbrushes or sponges
- Pens or colored pencils for adding details
- Glue for attaching dimensional items like leaves, flowers, star anise, or cloves
Using water as the binder gives your paint a watercolor-like effect. Place each spice, herb, or flower in its own container. Most spices can be stirred directly into water, while some floral ingredients need to steep first. Not all spices dissolve completely—some will add a bit of texture to your artwork.
Suggested colors for your spice paint palette
Hibiscus — pink/fuchsia
Steep 1–2 tablespoons dried hibiscus in ¼ cup water for at least 15 minutes, or until the color deepens.
Butterfly Pea Blossom — light blue
Steep 1–2 tablespoons dried blossoms in ¼ cup water for at least 15 minutes, or until you reach your desired shade.
Turmeric — yellow
Mix 1–2 teaspoons turmeric with ¼ cup water and let sit for 15 minutes.
Paprika — orange/red
Mix 1–2 teaspoons paprika with ¼ cup water and let sit for 15 minutes.
Matcha — green
Mix 1–2 teaspoons matcha with ¼ cup water and let sit for 15 minutes.
Valrhona Cocoa Powder — brown
Mix 1–2 teaspoons cocoa powder with ¼ cup water and let sit for 15 minutes.
Preparing your paints
Place each ingredient in its own container with water and stir until you reach the color intensity you want. The longer the mixture sits, the richer and thicker the paint becomes.
Before painting, strain out the hibiscus and butterfly pea blossoms. Once strained, your natural paints are ready to use.
Time to create
Experiment with mixing colors to discover new shades and effects. Enjoy the process—this activity is as much about exploring scents and textures as it is about making art.
