Happy Earth Day! Whilst racking my brains for recycled crafts (which we love), it occurred to me that I was due to use up my various tea bags I had been saving for a few days - you know, for no particular reason!! So here's a great way to "mark" the occasion- painting with used tea bags!
Here are the teas I used:
I placed each bag in a bowl and added some fresh boiling water - not too much as I wanted the colour to be as concentrated as possible.
Using watercolour paper, I made a colour chart as I knew from past experience that the teas looked a little different when dried - for example, the Mango & Strawberry starts off a pale pinky red, but dries a greeny blue.
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I traced a sketch of the Map of the World (Earth Day!!) and painted it:
And then got carried away - this is a copy of part of a painting we got in South Africa:
And this is Mally's take on Earth Day - with the Sun and other planets thrown in:
Remember to use permanent ink pens, which are waterproof. You could also stamp images using permanent ink. So many possibilities, so eco-friendly, and so much fun!!!
Here are the teas I used:
I placed each bag in a bowl and added some fresh boiling water - not too much as I wanted the colour to be as concentrated as possible.
Using watercolour paper, I made a colour chart as I knew from past experience that the teas looked a little different when dried - for example, the Mango & Strawberry starts off a pale pinky red, but dries a greeny blue.
And then got carried away - this is a copy of part of a painting we got in South Africa:
And this is Mally's take on Earth Day - with the Sun and other planets thrown in:
Remember to use permanent ink pens, which are waterproof. You could also stamp images using permanent ink. So many possibilities, so eco-friendly, and so much fun!!!
Ooooh.....as a non tea-drinker I'm thinking I'll suggest to my husband he needs to try a lot of new teas! I love that you got carried away and the colour chart was extremely clever.
ReplyDeleteThanks Joanna! I'm sure you can convince your husband - they're delicious!! xx
DeleteInteresting, I only drink boring brown tea though so I'll stick to watercolours.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ley! You could have your pictures in Sepia tones?!! xx
DeleteSuch a clever idea and the colours are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kate xx
DeleteI found your link on Sew Darn Crafty and had to pop over because the concept intrigued me. I'm so glad I did! This is wonderful, and I am definitely going to give it a try! Thanks so much for the tutorial and the wonderful examples. How fun!!!! http://www.kathybydesign.com
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathy! Let us know how it goes! xx
DeleteMmm, will have to make a bit extra with my next cuppa :-)
ReplyDeleteYou just need to save the bag and add water whenever you're ready Janice! xx
DeleteThis is such a great idea. I've painted with tea and coffee before but it never occurred to me to use the flavored ones. Looks so interesting and this one is in my to do list. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Zakkiya - you're welcome! xx
DeleteWhat a great idea and a good use for herbal tea, love your results.
ReplyDeleteThank you! xx
DeleteHow cool is that! You had me at "Tea" , I love anything tea related, what a fun idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks Julia - I'm a British Indian - so obsessed with tea!! xx
DeleteWhat a fun a creative idea! I absolutely love the map colors. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ravenna! xx
Deletewow! what a wonderful idea! I need to try this. P.S. I found you through the link party on http://ladybug-blessings.com/
ReplyDeleteThanks Krisi, hope you do try it! xx
DeleteLove, love, this. pinning. What a fabulous idea. found at whatever goes wed. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachel, have a great week too! xx
Deletewonderful idea. I especially like the idea of testing the paint first so you don't paint something with what you think is going to be red to have it turn out blue (this would drive my son nuts!)
ReplyDeleteThanks Audrey - I learnt this the hard way when I was trying to do a background to some pages in my art journal! xx
DeleteI really like this! I created some tea painted Valentine's Day cards a couple years ago. This has inspired me to try it again. Great job! Pinning.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're inspired to do it again. Its really therapeutic!! xx
DeleteAwesome! I never would have imagined the beautiful colors you can get with tea. I would have thought...brown. Thanks for an informative post!!
ReplyDeletehttp://balmtomysoul.com/2014/05/top-10-posts-april-2014/
You're welcome Elizabeth! xx
DeleteWhat a great idea! I'm a watercolorist, and I'm definitely going to try this! Found you Show licious blog party....I blog about my travels, and hope you will stop by for a visit!
ReplyDeletehttp://karanandmichael.blogspot.com/2014/04/giggly-girls-on-cruise.html
What an awesome idea! I will have to try this, it's so creative and looks so fun! Thank you for sharing it with us! :) Pinned!
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