Pastel colors are known for being soft, muted, and light. They are created by adding white to a pure hue, which reduces the saturation and results in a pale version of the original color. Pastels are popular for artwork, fashion, interior design, and more. While you can buy pre-made pastel paints and other mediums, it’s also easy and affordable to mix your own custom pastel shades at home using items you likely already have on hand.
What Are Pastel Colors?
Pastel colors sit between a pure, vivid hue and white on the color wheel. They are created when a pure pigment, like ultramarine blue or cadmium red, is mixed with white or another light color. This dilutes the saturation and results in a soft, muted shade.
Some examples of common pastel colors include:
– Pastel pink: A light pink made by adding white to red.
– Pastel purple: A light purple made by adding white to violet.
– Pastel blue: A light blue made by adding white to navy or another darker blue.
– Pastel green: A light green created by mixing white with forest green.
– Pastel yellow: A very pale yellow made by mixing white with lemon yellow.
Pastels can range from very light, barely-there tints to more medium-toned shades. In general, though, they are known for being much softer, more subtle, and muted than their full saturation counterparts. This makes them perfect for creating a gentle, delicate, or romantic look and feel.
Why Make Your Own Pastels?
Here are some of the benefits of mixing your own pastel colors rather than buying pre-made pastel paints or other mediums:
– **Cost savings** – Mixing pastels yourself using ingredients you likely already have is very affordable compared to buying pre-mixed pastel paints or other supplies. All you need is the pure color pigment and something to lighten it, like white paint or acrylic ink.
– **Customization** – Blending your own pastels allows you to perfectly customize the exact subtle shade you want. You can achieve that perfect muted robin’s egg blue or lilac purple for your project.
– **Control saturation** – When you mix your own pastels, you can control exactly how saturated or muted you want the final color to be. Lightly tint a hue for a subtle pastel or add more white for an extra faded look.
– **Try new color combos** – Experiment with blending different color pairings, like peach and yellow to achieve a pastel melon hue. You can create unique pastel shades that you may not find ready-made.
– **Accessibility** – Basic ingredients to mix pastels like white paint and acrylic inks are easy to find at local craft stores, making the process accessible. Pre-mixed pastels can be pricier and not always easy to find.
How to Make Pastel Paint
One of the easiest ways to make your own pastel colors is by mixing white acrylic paint with pure color paints. Here is a step-by-step guide:
What You Need
– Tube acrylic paints in a variety of pure hues you want for your pastels
– White acrylic paint
– Paintbrushes
– Containers or paint palette for mixing
– Canvas, paper, or other surface for painting
Steps
1. Squeeze out a small amount of the colored acrylic paint you want to use onto your palette. This will be your base hue. Some color suggestions: ultramarine blue, cadmium red, phthalo green, dioxazine purple.
2. Add a small squirt of white acrylic paint next to the color. The white will lighten the hue and create your pastel.
3. Use a paintbrush to thoroughly mix the two paints together. Continue mixing until you achieve your desired pastel shade.
4. Add more of the white paint to lighten and desaturate the color further if needed. Or add more of the pure hue for a more saturated pastel.
5. Once you have the perfect pastel color, test it out on your canvas or paper. Adjust the ratio of paints as needed.
6. Repeat the process mixing different color and white paint pairings until you have a variety of custom pastel paints.
Tips
– Use very small amounts of paint while mixing so you don’t waste paint. You can always add more if needed.
– Mixing on a white palette will show you the true pastel shade as you blend.
– Try combining complementary colors like blue and orange to create unique pastel hues.
– Add a touch of white when mixing two colors to soften them into pastel versions of each shade.
How to Make Pastel Colored Pencils
You can also easily create your own pastel colored pencils perfect for drawing, sketching, and art projects using this method:
What You Need
– White wax crayons, or white beeswax pellets
– Pure color wax crayons, beeswax crayon stubs, or food coloring
– Pencil sharpener or knife
– Parchment paper
– Spoon
– Stovetop or double boiler
Steps
1. Unwrap the white and color wax crayons. Break them into smaller pieces so they melt faster.
2. Add the crayon pieces to a saucepan or double boiler to melt on low heat, stirring frequently.
3. Once melted together, add a few drops of food coloring to tint the wax if needed. Stir until evenly blended.
4. Pour the colored melted wax into molds made by rolling parchment paper into cylinders and holding it closed with clothespins.
5. Let cool completely then sharpen the ends to create handmade pastel crayons.
Tips
– Use equal parts white and color wax to achieve a pastel versus vivid shade.
– Add more white for lighter pastels and less for more saturated shades.
– Shape the pencil width by adjusting the parchment paper roll diameter.
– Let kids help make their own custom pastel crayon colors.
How to Make Pastel Colored Chalk
For more chalk options, you can easily handmake custom pastel shades with this method:
What You Need
– Plaster of Paris
– Pure powdered tempera paints or food coloring
– Water
– Mixing containers and spoon
– Candy molds or silicone tray
Steps
1. Mix 1 part tempera paint powder with 2 parts plaster of Paris powder thoroughly in a mixing bowl.
2. Add water a few drops at a time until a thick, moldable paste forms.
3. Add more paint powder for a more saturated color or more plaster for a lighter pastel look.
4. Scoop the pastel chalk paste into candy molds or silicone trays to shape.
5. Allow 3-4 days to completely air dry before gently removing from the molds.
Tips
– Start with less water and add gradually until you achieve the right consistency.
– Tap molds while drying to release air bubbles for a smooth finish.
– These homemade pastel chalks can be used on chalkboards, pavement, paper, and more.
– Use glycerin instead of water for colorful “sidewalk chalk” that washes away with water.
How to Make Pastel Playdough
For a fun hands-on activity, whip up custom pastel playdoughs:
What You Need
– 2 cups flour
– 3/4 cup salt
– 4 teaspoons cream of tartar
– 2 cups lukewarm water
– 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
– Food coloring
Steps
1. Mix together the flour, salt, cream of tartar and food coloring in a large pot.
2. Gradually stir in the water and oil. Continue stirring over low heat for 3-5 minutes until dough forms.
3. Turn dough onto wax paper to cool and knead a few minutes until smooth.
4. Add more food coloring and knead to incorporate for more saturated colors if desired.
5. Store homemade pastel playdough in airtight containers. Keeps for up to 3 months.
Tips
– Use gel food coloring for more vivid colors that don’t stain hands.
– Mix colors together to create custom pastel secondary hues.
– For softer pastels, use more flour and less coloring.
– Add glitter, beads, or small gems for extra creative fun.
How to Make Pastel Frosting
Whip up pretty pastel icings and frostings for cakes, cupcakes, and other treats:
What You Need
– Frosting: buttercream, cream cheese, whipped cream
– Food coloring gel
– Mixing bowls and mixer
Steps
1. Prepare your favorite frosting recipe. For lighter pastels, use whipped or buttercream frosting.
2. Separate base frosting into smaller bowls, one for each color.
3. Add a small amount of food coloring gel and mix. Add more gel for deeper shades if desired.
4. Mix until thoroughly incorporated and your ideal pastel color is reached.
5. Transfer each tinted frosting to a piping bag to decorate baked goods.
Tips
– Use light or white frostings for the truest pastel look.
– Whip in some white gel coloring to lighten colors further.
– Spoon or pipe alternating colors together for ombre or swirled effects.
– Top with sprinkles, candies, or edible flowers for extra pastel-pretty decorations.
How to Make Pastel Paper
For crafts and art projects, hand-tinting paper is an easy way to create custom pastel papers:
What You Need
– White paper or cardstock
– Acrylic paints, food coloring, or watercolors
– Paint brushes
– Containers for mixing
Steps
1. Dilute acrylic paint or food coloring with water in small containers. Use less for lighter pastels.
2. Paint swipes of color directly onto paper using a brush. Layer hues.
3. For ombre effects, press wet brush in a line across the paper and let it fade out.
4. You can also crumple paper slightly before painting for fun textured effects.
5. Allow painted pastel papers to fully dry flat before using for crafts.
Tips
– Try layering complementary colors for colorful pastel paper.
– Use textured specialty papers like crepe or tissue paper for unique effects.
– Cut painted paper into shapes or use in papier mache projects.
– Brush on some glitter paint or glue for extra shimmer.
How to Make Pastel Slime
For an unbelievably fun DIY sensory material, try your hand at making pastel slime:
What You Need
– Elmer’s glue or clear glue
– Food coloring
– Borax
– Water
– Mixing bowl
Steps
1. In a bowl, mix your choice of food coloring into clear Elmer’s glue until fully blended.
2. In a separate bowl, dissolve 1 teaspoon borax into 1/4 cup warm water.
3. Slowly mix the borax solution into the colored glue. Knead with hands when it begins getting stringy.
4. Once combined, knead the slime vigorously for 5 minutes to reach the perfect consistency.
5. Store pastel slime in an airtight container to prevent drying out.
Tips
– Add more or less food coloring to control the pastel intensity.
– If too sticky, work in a bit more borax solution. If too firm, massage in some water.
– For butter slime, swap Elmer’s glue for clear school glue and add lotion.
– Use glitter glue for sparkly pastel slime or add decorative mix-ins.
Conclusion
With just a few basic supplies available at home or the craft store, you can easily whip up custom-blended pastel versions of paint, colored pencils, chalk, play dough, frosting, paper, and slime. Pastels are perfect for any project where you want to add a soft, delicate touch of color. Experiment, get creative, and have fun with mixing and making your own pastel palette.