DIY Mood Paintings On Glossy Photo Paper

I love thrift stores because you never know what you might find. This time I found inspiration.

It Was Cold!

I feel like winter came a little earlier in western Washington this year. The air has a bite to it already.

I haven’t visited our local vintage stores in a while and jumped at my son’s invitation to join him on Friday.

I had slim pickings this time except for two packs of 4” x 6” photo paper for 99c a piece and a book on Zentangles. I had no idea what I would use the photo paper for but for 99c I was not leaving the store without it.

I’ll Use Food Coloring Again

Why not? I knew that I wouldn’t print on the photo paper. I wanted to paint on them somehow. So, I pulled out the food coloring and some rubbing alcohol.

The next hour produced mind blowing beauty.

It also produced stained hands.

I should have worn gloves. My hands were a mess, and it took hours of repeated washing to get them clean. Food coloring under your nails will fight you tooth and nail to stick around.

A Kaleidoscope of Beauty

I couldn’t believe how beautiful each unique print was. They look otherworldly to me.

I first dropped the color directly on the glossy paper with a few drops of 90% rubbing alcohol dispersed between the color.

Then turned the paper over onto a plastic mat and pressed down lightly. When I lift the paper, I pull it up from one corner to drag the color and create a pattern.

Don’t lift straight up.

In a different attempt, I dropped the food coloring straight onto the plastic mat and placed the paper over the paint to pick it up.

The results were similar.

Doodle Time

I allowed the paper and color to dry for about an hour before I doodled on them with my paint pen.

I used the Uniposca white 0.7 tip paint pen, and it worked great.

I love how the dark moody background visually pushes the white doodles off the page.

Food Coloring Colors Are Limited

I would love to try this with more colors. Food coloring typically only comes in four colors. So, I think I’ll invest in some alcohol inks and try this again.

I think some pinks and purples with a splash of blue could look good. Maybe a black and white?

Let me know if you try this and if you had different results.

Instructions

Print Result

The glossy paper is on the right and some food coloring leftover on the mat is on the left.

There is almost enough color on the mat to make a second print.

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