Colored sand can be used in a variety of art works. You can buy pre-colored sand at home improvement stores, but it's very easy to make it yourself and you can make it in a much wider variety of colors than ready-made sand available in the store. Here are some simple ways to make colored sand.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Using Powder Tempera
Step 1. Choose a shade of gouache color powder
Tempera powder is normally mixed with water to prepare the color, but can be used in its dry form to color the sand.
- Dry gouache can easily be found in home improvement stores or department store DIY departments.
- It is used in kindergartens and elementary schools because it is non-toxic, inexpensive and washes off easily with water.
- Feel free to mix different colors of dry gouache to create the shades of your choice.
Step 2. Put the sand you want to color in a suitable container
It could be a cup, bowl, resealable bag, or whatever you have on hand.
- Make sure you have enough space in the container to mix the sand easily, without letting it come out.
- You can color all the sand you want, according to your needs.
- You can also use table salt instead of sand. Avoid using sugar, as it becomes sticky.
Step 3. Add a small amount of powder to the sand
Start with about a teaspoon of powder to a cup of sand.
Step 4. Mix sand and dust together thoroughly
You can add more powder until you get the color of your choice.
- If you are using a bowl, mix with a disposable spoon or stick.
- If you can close the container, beat it hard to mix the sand and powder well.
Step 5. Put the colored sand away
Make sure the container doesn't leak.
Method 2 of 4: Using food coloring
Step 1. Put the sand you want to color in a suitable container
It can be a cup, bowl, or whatever you have on hand.
- Make sure you have enough space in the container to mix the sand easily, without spilling it out.
- You can color all the sand you want, depending on your needs.
Step 2. Add enough water to cover the sand
- Be careful because if you add too much water the sand will not be bright enough and you may need more dye.
- You can only use sand if you follow this method. If you use salt, it will dissolve in the water.
Step 3. Pour 1-2 drops of food coloring into the container and mix
If the color isn't dark enough, keep adding dye, one drop at a time, until you get the color you want.
- If the color is too dark, add a little water to dilute the color.
- You can also mix different food dyes together to get different shades.
Step 4. Remove all water from the sand
You can use a clean rag over a colander to do this.
Step 5. Put the sand to dry
Arrange several layers of paper, rags, or old towels on the floor or counter, sprinkling sand on them.
- Be careful that the color does not pass through and stain the underlying surface.
- You can put a piece of plastic, like a litter bag, under the rags for extra protection.
- The sand will color faster if you put it in a warm, dry and well-ventilated place.
Step 6. Put the colored sand away
Make sure it is completely dry before closing it in a container, and that the container does not leak.
Method 3 of 4: Use Alcohol Based Ink
Step 1. Choose an alcohol based ink color you like
You can use the (bottled) ink used for rubber stamps or the India ink used for drawing.
- Alcohol-based ink can be found in art and home improvement stores or in the home improvement departments of department stores.
- Feel free to mix different ink colors together to get the shade of your choice.
- Food coloring works too, but it's less permanent.
Step 2. Put the sand you want to color in a resealable container
Make sure it is tightly closed. It's even easier if you use a sealable bag.
- Make sure you have enough space in the container to beat the sand down firmly.
- You can get a more or less strong color according to your needs.
- You can also use table salt instead of sand. Avoid using sugar, it gets sticky.
- The best sand to use for this purpose is the white "colored" sand available at home improvement stores.
Step 3. Add 1-2 drops of ink to the sand, then shake and work it
Keep mixing until you reach the desired color.
- If there is leftover ink in a lump and your sand is already the color you want, remove it and throw it away.
- If the color isn't dark enough, keep adding ink one drop at a time until you get the color you want.
Step 4. Put the colored sand away
Make sure the container doesn't leak.
Method 4 of 4: Using Colored Chalk
Step 1. Choose the chalk color you want to use
For darker colors, you can use chalk pastels.
- Colored chalk and chalk pastels are widely available in art and home improvement stores and department store DIY departments.
- Feel free to mix the different chalk colors together to get the colors of your choice.
Step 2. Prepare your work surface
You'll need to grind chalk or crayons into sand or salt, so make sure the surface you're working on is well protected or disposable, as the paint may stain it.
- A clean piece of thick, sturdy paper or plastic is ideal. It will also be easier to transfer the colored sand into the container.
- When you paint different sand blocks, make sure the surface is clean between colors so you don't mix them.
Step 3. On a hard surface, put a small amount of sand or table salt
This method takes a little longer, so it is recommended for treating small amounts of sand.
- The best sand to use is white "colored" sand that you can find at home improvement stores.
- Avoid using sugar, as it becomes sticky.
Step 4. Take a small piece of chalk or pastel, and rub it into the sand
Work with a smooth motion for best results.
- The gypsum will gradually grind into sand or salt.
- To speed up the process, you can also scrape the chalk into the sand with an inlay knife, putty knife, or other utensil.
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For larger chunks, you can also pulverize the plaster first with a mortar and pestle or another grinding tool.
- If you do this, use powdered chalk in the same way as powdered paint, as described above.
- Make sure you clean the tools you used to grind thoroughly, especially if they will be used for cooking.
Step 5. Continue mixing the sand until you get the desired color
Feel free to alternate between chalk or pastel colors and create the shade you like best.
Step 6. Put your colored sand away
Make sure the container doesn't leak.
Advice
- Your child can use colored sand to make sand art works (with adult supervision). Cut a piece of sticky paper to the desired size. Remove the top protective layer and lay the sheet with the sticky side facing up (this will be the surface the sand will adhere to). Put the colored sand in a container of salt and let your child shake it until he lets the sand come out on top
- Make a simple art work by placing several layers of colored sand in a beautiful glass container, jar or decorative vase.
- Liquid food coloring is preferable to paste for this project, because the thicker texture of the paste makes it difficult to mix with sand and achieve a uniform color and texture.
- Start with less dye than you think you'll need. It is always easier to add it to get a darker color, rather than the other way around; so you will also avoid wasting sand and dye if the sand turns dark too quickly.
Warnings
- When using chalk or gouache methods, be careful not to inhale the powdered pigment. It is generally not toxic, but it is still not healthy for your lungs.
- When drying the sand, be sure to put several layers of paper, rags or towels between the sand and the surface it is drying on, as the colors can seep into the surface and stain it.
