Salt Painting Watercolor Glue Art

White school glue in a squeeze bottle

Table salt

Thick paper or cardstock

Liquid watercolor or food coloring diluted in water

Small cups

Paintbrushes or droppers

Squeeze glue onto thick paper in a design — names, shapes, or abstract patterns. Make thick lines.

Immediately shake salt over the entire paper, coating all the glue.

Tilt the paper to dump off the loose salt. The glue lines are now covered in salt.

Mix liquid watercolor or diluted food coloring in cups.

Dip a brush or dropper into color and gently touch it to the salt lines.

Watch the magic — color creeps along the salt, following every curve of the design.

Let dry completely. The result is raised, sparkly, and crystalline.

The color spreads by capillary action — the same principle that makes water travel up a paper towel.

Use droppers rather than soaking the salt. Too much liquid dissolves the salt and ruins the effect.

Multiple colors on the same line blend beautifully where they meet.

The dried texture is genuinely satisfying to touch — bumpy, crystalline, and slightly rough.

This technique works for any design: names, rainbows, snowflakes, or abstract art. Results are consistently impressive.