Painting with teabag-stained gouche adds an earthy quality to the finished piece.
Tea bags are often used for their dying abilities in a variety of ways, from adding an old look to paper to dying clothes. By reducing the tea to a very thick and opaque color, it can be used to color gouache in an earthy, brown tone. Gouche is used in a similar manner as watercolor, just with more viscocity and thickness to the final paint product, almost like acrylic.
Instructions
1. Place the three tea bags in the small pot. Pour enough water in to the pot to bring it to 3/4 full.
2. Set the pot on the stove and bring it to a rolling boil. Continue to simmer it until the water is greatly reduced, to about 1/4 full.
3. Remove the tea bags and continue to simmer, until there is only about 1/4 inch of liquid left in the pot. Remove it from the stove and allow it to cool completely.
4. Place white gouche on the palette. Pour a small amount of the liquid into the paint, mixing it in thoroughly.
5. Add more liquid, slowly, until the desired color is achieved.
6. Paint with the gouche right away or store it in an airtight container.
