How to Make Your Own Watercolor Binder: A Beginner's Guide

I am back! This time I am going to show you how to make a basic binder for making watercolor paints. The binder recipe that I am showing in this video is a good starting point, and is suitable for a wide range of pigments.
Exact binder recipe that I am using in the video is as follows:
22g of ground Gum Arabic
44g of Distilled Water
5g of Organic Honey
15g of Vegetable Glycerine
This recipe can be scaled up or down as long as you adjust the amounts accordingly.
In a future video I will go into detail about how to tweak the ingredients in order to meet the demands of certain pigments.
Here is the link to St Luke online art store where I get my Gum Arabic from, and as I mentioned in the video this is the highest quality Gum Arabic I have found in Australia:
stlukeart.com/langridge-gum-a...
Also while you're there check out the other fantastic art supplies they have on offer. They have long been my go-to art suppliers:
stlukeart.com/
Thanks for dropping by and I hope you enjoy.
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THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO WATERCOLOUR PAINT MAKING
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[@TheAlchemicalArts]

Please post your questions below and I will do a follow up episode next week to answer all the questions.

[@PurpleHaze2k9]

Very interested in the follow up to this video. I have been having a hard time finding information on making proper binder. I have found all sorts of conflicting information saying things like 50/50 binder to pigment ratios, all the way up to 20:1 binder to pigment ratios. All the paints Ive made so far have come out brittle or syrupy or crack/shrink in the pans. I've used many types of pigments so far and many ratios of binders/additives and the results are generally bad no matter what I do. My main question, like in your description, is how can I tweak my binder to fit the pigments im using, whether it be a natural pigment or otherwise? (I just got a bunch of pigments and most are natural mineral pigment, but I am interested in both natural and artificial/synthetic pigments too, all of which behave differently with respect to the binder.) What can I do to prevent or reduce cracking in watercolors that I put in to pans? For instance I used a Pozzuoli Red and that made a paint that panned well and re-wets really nicely, just works all around well, but then I used the same recipe for verona green and the first attempt made a greasy mess, then upon tweaking the recipe, I ended up with a brick, and then just a bunch of broken paint chunks that will not re-wet at all. I figured at first I had too much binder, so I added more pigment and then water, and it went all to hell after several iterations. I just dont know what im doing wrong here. Out of about 50 paint pans, only about 8 of them turned out, and it's really frustrating. I am not sure if my ratios are just off or if I am not mulling properly, or what. Any direction would be helpful. Thanks.

[@PurpleHaze2k9]

As an aside, I'd love to see you make pigments in the quinacridone family.

[@marziehkaviani5536]

It might be late... But it will be great if you talk more about preservation methods, Everytime I make these binders the mold, and it happened once when I made the watercolour!!

[@TheAlchemicalArts]

@@marziehkaviani5536 not too late I should be filming the follow up later next week

[@PurpleHaze2k9]

@@marziehkaviani5536 As a point of discussion, I have heard that an amount of clove oil (a few drops seems to be the consensus) will extend the life of a gum arabic/binder soluton, as will refrigeration. That's just my understanding, hopefully someone else chimes in.

[@LOperatorium]

Quick tip for another time, you can put the arabic gum in an old cloth and smash it with a hammer ! You will have a fine powder in 1 minute only and avoid a tendinitis :D Cheers from one alchimist to another ;)

[@Caninecancersucksrocks]

I sort of do the same; I place mine in a high thread-count pillowcase, then have a go at it with my fathers old carving mallet. Takes no time at all, and I stop once it’s well broken down - just before it hits the powder stage I dump it out into my stone mortar & pestle for really fine particles. ☺️👍

[@bearhugzfam649]

Oh god thank you xD I don't mind once it's into the smaller nuggets but I messed myself up worse than you might expect trying to beat up those first big chunks, haha.

[@elainebradleyceramist]

I keep an old electric coffee grinder for the job.

[@eileenoneill1805]

I have liquid anyone know the water ratio I have neon pigments from my nail business

[@justine.Semidea]

I really like the precision in your videos, it is not something I find a lot on youtube :)

[@DoingItOurselvesOfficial]

Lot of the big watercolour manufacturers also add ox gall liquid. It helps disperse the pigment better.

[@Skipperau]

I only recently found your channel. Thank you explicitly explaining the ingredients needed to make your pigments. I have other recipes they never tell you why you use the honey and all other ingredients. Thank you doing the research and experimentation and finding the correct measurements required.

[@HimmelsscheibeNebra]

I very much like the speed grinding at 5:09 which is very cool... 🙂 These videos are so beautiful. Great work.

[@davidbriggs5778]

Thank you, Thank you - this is such a valuable lesson!

[@Dnflittlegirl]

I like the fact that u explain the importance of each ingredient

[@frogeye1599]

It's so rare to find a channel that shows the ins and outs of paint making. Most hide their recipes or their methods so finding you was like striking gold :). Keep up the good work and I cant wait to see more. . . . . weird question but... is gum arabic edible? It kinda looks delicious i don't know why.

[@denganituingatlahdia8867]

Yes Arabic gum is edible! Surprise surprise! :) It can be use for allergy, problematic digestive system, have high contains of calcium also can be use to loose weight! It's very common in my country to consume Arabic gum as supplement since it's organic but make sure to seek for food grade one ;))

[@abulaithahmadalbagshi835]

Absolutely it is edible just drinking it after displayed.

[@marziehkaviani5536]

As always great video!!!

[@serapaygenli1289]

W Thanks you! Í have some güm arabic and í have not found such a descriptive recipe before. You are awesome.

[@dreamsofadaffodil650]

Kudos! To your art dedication...putting heart soul and physical labour and precision ❤🙏

[@indirasoerojo8105]

Thanks for sharing. Love your video...really inspiring! ❤️

[@Pebblesmas]

Thank you so much, loved to watch and learn, you did a great job 👍

[@neverwares]

Thank you so much for this! You’re a fantastic teacher

[@jaspermartin7444]

love it, thank you!! (i already knew the basics -- or thought i did -- but your presentation was excellent and you obviously know A LOT MORE!)

[@erica-1214]

Thank you for all the details, I really liked the video.

[@jinaldahanuwala72]

This video is awesome and I tried it and the results are best. Thank you so much for this video ☺️

[@no_caminho_da_harmonia]

Thanks a lot for sharing this, and by the way, a love your sun and moon painting!

[@en1909s9iah]

super cool! I was curious how cobalt pigments are made, since they are so expensive. I usually paint in oils, but sometimes give watercolors a go. You're also super cute 😍

[@jondwoods4742]

This video was awesome, great explaining🙌🙌

[@MelissaBaker.]

So happy I've stumbled upon your channel!!!

[@watrgrl2]

Hello from Oregon! I’m new to your channel and I must say this is the best tutorial I’ve ever seen. Thank You so much! You have a very intriguing and attractive teaching style and I found it very easy to follow and understand.

[@deadbuglimited5640]

Interesting. I didn't know I was going to enjoy this. But I did. I really did. Thanks.

[@avigail5356]

Thank you So much for this video!

[@lindamaclaren1866]

Great video! Looking forward to trying your recipe...

[@JacquelineJax]

This looks amazing and I am so excited that I learned how to make the binder but I definitely will be buying it because this is way too much for me to tackle

[@user-hq5uc4ec4j]

Thank you for the interesting and informative video!

[@Psicodulcinea]

than you so much!!! loved it

[@sandrade1734]

Thanks for the detailed post on ratios of ga to honey

[@user-to5eq1wq3h]

WOnderfully explained. thanks

[@aau7186]

Excellent video! 🙂

[@Admonia]

Thank you for a great video

[@irmanv.9798]

An excellent video. Thank you for sharing. You are a real perfectionist! **********

[@zviadimeqvabishvili2155]

Thank you!

[@spelli9958]

I am so inspired by you that I have now made synthetic malachite myself from copper, acetic acid and potasium carbonate🤓🙃

[@TheAlchemicalArts]

Nice I am working on some videos relating to copper pigments they should be out soon

[@jayBharatiraanga6425]

​@@TheAlchemicalArts Animal Glue Tree Gum Natural Organic Glue Was Used as Binder in Peetalkhora Ajanta Caves Painting 🎨✍️📢

[@twycross3]

Hey Jeremy I signed up for your watercolor making class. Looking forward to the course!!

[@spelli9958]

I love your videos❤

[@emmajones3025]

I'm looking at recycling my old eyeshadow powders into watercolour paints, is it possible to use them as the pigments? Love your tutorial, I'm a scientist and love the detail you go into as to each ingredient and why you do things the way you do. Brilliant! ETJ from the UK 🇬🇧 ❤️

[@ivanvazquez2052]

excellent video

[@bodiekarma941]

Thank you so much!!

[@Supramonk]

Love it

[@rebeccahenson5328]

Thanks for the education.

[@steph7373]

This is really interesting

[@alexcamanho]

Hi Jeremy! You've been doing a really greate work there! Unique and exclusive content and exactly the kind of material I was searchig for! I found you some months ago and just love your content! This subject never will be too much... I've been doing some experiments for a while and is really tricky, many things going on! Looking forward to see the results about the gum indigo and the carmine! About this video of the gum arabic ratio... do you teach specifically ratios and recipes in your online course? I want to buy it, just saving some money.. having a hard time with my country's currency right now XD

[@eileenjohnston6835]

Thank you.

[@aliakber2k10]

Great share. Thank you. What would be the recipe if we use liquid Gum Arabic?

[@omarabutaleb7605]

عمل جميل شكرا لك

[@maryjoybasanez1296]

thank youu

[@jeanmariesmith1224]

If you first mix the gum with glycerin, then add it to the hot water, it will not form lumps. I do this all the time when dissolving certain gums. Also, anytime you add water to a formula, it will need a preservative to prevent microbial growth.

[@luisabarreira6421]

very good video! Congratulations! Question: how do I distinguish a good crystal from a bad one?

[@mezi_cosmetics111]

Fantastic video!! If you use Gum Arabic powder, should you still sift it? Also, if i were using a powder preservative, should i add it to the binder mixter, or the actual pigment powder mixture? (hope that made sense!)

[@carminecarousel340]

You have supported me with your knowledge in my efforts to create natural art supplies. I would like to sign up with you on Patreon and to purchase some watercolor paint as a gift for an artist friend living in Quebec Canada. Where can I buy your watercolor paint in your hand made boxes? Thankyou for your great instruction in this video. So much appreciated.

[@creativevideosfunnyvideosv6442]

bro make video on home made best fabric colour binder, for hand painted clothes. love from india

[@anniefilippone4177]

Hi I love your video its helped a lot i'm new to making watercolors. Just wondering if you ended up making a second video. Id love to learn more from you but didnt see a new video on your page! thanks!!

[@TheAlchemicalArts]

Not yet been delayed but it is in the works.

[@robertaojeda1824]

Amazing video! I would like to ask you for meterials/books in which I could learn more about watercolor and other inks making. I found it hard to get cool books about :)

[@jennahowell4610]

Google is your best friend. There is a ton of information

[@simb231]

very nice. can we mix mica powder in this then to get a nice shade

[@modernshahrazad9137]

thank you so much for this channel its a massive help ! can i please ask you what sould be the expiry date for it if i want to sell it as a product?

[@amberdelima6058]

Thank you for sharing this recipe, I have one more question do you have to store it cold?

[@howlingwind1937]

Does the paint fade or has it got longevity? Thank you for your video.

[@FantasyReader321]

Does that golden color effect the final paint? Like does it make everything lean to the warmer end of the spectrum? I'd love to know.

[@el_m3allem]

can you use other types of antiseptic tree resin (such as pine?) that might be easier to harvest locally?

[@jasonadamik2206]

Could you comment on how much clove oil should be added as a preservative? I'm counting your 22g gum arabic as one part, so based on this amount, would you add, say, ten eyedropper drops, etc.? I surely don't want to add too much. With the clove oil, how long would you expect the binder to stay fresh enough to use?

[@abulaithahmadalbagshi835]

At 07:15, Best way to dissolves Arabic gum just soake it 24 in water.

[@LifeinGlow]

Thank you for sharing! Love your kitchen/room setup. Question: how long do you let the mixture sit and blend before filtering it?

[@bearhugzfam649]

Not the alchemist but, all sources I've read say leave it for at least a day :)

[@LifeinGlow]

@@bearhugzfam649 ok thank you)

[@nkhalishah185]

Hello thank you for this video it is very helpful. But i want to ask one thing, can you used another type of gum like xanthan gum and not arabic gum?

[@yakoras]

incredibly helpful video, i wanted to make my own watercolors but did not know how to do it, all other videos say the materials you need but not the amount of each ingredient, btw in the video was mentioned the use of clove oil to avoid mold, how much clove oil would you use for the amount of binder you made in the video?

[@TheAlchemicalArts]

Thank you! I usually add around 3-5 drops of clove oil to a batch of around 50-100mls of binder. I have a short online course linked in the description of this video if you need extra help in your watercolour making journey.

[@chrisvighagen]

For synthetic pigments is it possible to add the ox gall at this point? Instead of at the mulling, if I know how much is usually needed for my synthetic pigment?

[@mezi_cosmetics111]

Also, can you immediately use the binder once it's cooled, or should you refridgerate it over night first?

[@meow-xu8cq]

❤

[@johndilts2504]

When I use these same ingredients for rolling paper glue a use a double boiler

[@howlingwind1937]

How would you go about making soft pastels or oil pastels. Cheers!

[@bodeaalex1142]

Hi, thank you for the great tutorial! I have one question: is there a risk in pouring water that is too hot over the gum arabic? Is there a maximum temperature that should not be surpassed? Thanks.

[@TheAlchemicalArts]

Using really hot water wont have a negative effect on the gum arabic, its only a problem if you were to heat on a stove or something like that and it began to cook.

[@helencoleman4709]

Does this recipe prevent cracking when the paint is dried please, or do you need to top up when filling pans? Thanks for a great video.

[@jennahowell4610]

Personally in the limited trials I have had. Yes it helps depending on the binder to pigment ratio etc. but filling them in layers is your best bet. Ones I don’t crack. But I also live in very hot humid Florida. I have read that I need to add more glycerin possibly when mixing.

[@vanessapalomo828]

Amazing video! Is there a follow up ? Thanks!!!

[@ApocalypticDreams666]

I find it easiest to use a magnetic stirrer on low to mix my gum arabic so it doesn't stick to the sides. Start it spinning and watch TV for 20 minutes and its ready.

[@mikemcquaid9639]

Different amounts of humectant (honey / glycerine) are required for different pigments. The amount you suggest wouldn't be effective on many pigments. It's more sensible to add humecants separately depending on the pigment characteristic.

[@kathrynhopkins]

this is mentioned at the end of the video.

[@mikemcquaid9639]

The @@kathrynhopkins

[@mikemcquaid9639]

The balance between different pigments, humicants and gum Arabic is the essence of watercolour making. It’s not really fair to foreground a recipe, at the start, with way too much honey and glycerine for most pigments in this way. This would work with Indian Yellow Tartrazine…probably, but little else. Yes, this balance is addressed at the end but almost as an afterthought and very unscientifically. There really are absolutely strict ratios that must be observed or one will produce paint that never hardens or cracks terribly. How one can work these ratios out is a sine qua non and this should be stated right at the start.

[@frauda1ert]

What about clove oil as a natural preservative? according to your doses how much should I add?

[@rachelharr9326]

I dought I will get an answer now lol it's been quite a while since this was posted, however! How many half pans would this amount of binder make? How much pigment should be mixed into it? what should I do if I put too much pigment?

[@marziehkaviani5536]

And can you say more about moulding and different anti moulding agents?

[@jennahowell4610]

Clove oil from what I have read. Google is your best friend. There is info dating back 100 years or more.

[@andreamurillo4919]

Puedes mostrar cómo lo usas en tus pinturas, muchas gracias

[@user-on1zq9dv7f]

Hi! will using runny "honey" work?

[@izzyh1514]

Hello, great video!! what quantity of soiution to pigment do you recommend?

[@TheAlchemicalArts]

It depends on the pigment, you can start with around 1:1 but you will have to experiment.

[@jondwoods4742]

The glycerin makes it more glossy aswell right?

[@marialeilanilindt3739]

i believe a metal mortar and pestle will work better than stone because atone is CALCIUM CARBONate which xan mix woth what you are grindjng especially when what you are grinding is also stone or a aubstance of the same hardness.

[@user-zs8me5bq8j]

Could you do another video with liquid gum aravic powder

[@gjabishek123]

Thank you so much 🙏🏼 I have a small question, is gum Arabic archival?

[@rabisibghat5764]

Please make a video about car paint binder

[@sambrown9052]

Love the video! :) Would it be possible to swap out the glycerin for a bit more honey?

[@TheAlchemicalArts]

You could I am not to sure how good it would be though, the advantage of the glycerin is that it helps with rewetting the dry pan and stops it from drying too hard. I would suggest just trying a small batch of paint where you make a binder with say 2- 2.5 times the amount of honey that I have suggested and none of the glycerin and see how that turns out

[@jennahowell4610]

Sam just curious, why would you not want glycerin? I am just curious as to people’s thoughts when it comes to creating. I have heard many don’t want honey as then it would not be vegan but not the other way around.

[@twycross3]

I tried making a watercolor with honey and pigment only and it turned into a hard chunk. Thanks for the good advice on the gum arabic!

[@twycross3]

@@user-lx2tg9zm4q yes I did.

[@jennahowell4610]

What kind of honey did you use ?

[@twycross3]

@@jennahowell4610 local honey. Clover honey I believe

[@sunnyjoy229]

Can you try doing watercolor paper of Arches quality?

[@bjorkanyborg]

Would it still work if you dont use glycerin?

[@maazansari6143]

Hi for how long can I store it and under which condition?

[@silke878]

how many drops of clove oil would you add to this ratio? (great video btw!)

[@bearhugzfam649]

2 to 5 :)

[@JacquelineJax]

How much clove oil do you recommend putting into this recipe? You didn’t mention it in the description

[@jeperez7697]

Can you perhaps substitute or not add glycerin?

[@dalinean]

How do you go with fungi and other infections of this sweet mix. I had a crust appear on some of my watercolours.

[@aim1578]

Can we do mixer for cutting down gum arabic

[@vasilyd8578]

I wonder if gelatine or other animal glues can be used instead of gum arabic?

[@MixableRat90]

Hi, I tried to follow the instructions, but my gum fluffs kinda like flour, did I received the wrong thing? or what am I doing wrong it doesn't mix with water like yours do. Read another comment where you mentioned that it can cook up. Am i putting to hot water on it? Any tips.