From the page: The shell that turns into gold in the garden
Idea 7
Homemade painting paint
The eggshell is basically calcium carbonate, the same mineral that for centuries has served as a white "filler" in paints and plasters, as in the tradition of gesso and old wall plaster. When ground very fine and mixed with a binder (diluted glue), it becomes a matte, good-coverage paint that applies naturally over paper, wood and clay walls.
What you need
- Clean eggshells (from 6 to 10 eggs)
- Common white glue (school type)
- Water
- Bowl and spoon
- Mortar, masher or blender
- Mesh or fine sieve
- Brush
- Optional natural pigment (turmeric, charcoal, beet powder)
- Lidded jar for storing
How to make it
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1
Wash the shells and let them dry well, overnight or in a low oven for a few minutes — moisture hinders grinding and can create mold in the finished paint.
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2
Grind the shells into a very fine powder and pass it through the sieve — the finer the powder, the smoother and more uniform the paint.
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3
In a bowl, mix 2 spoonfuls of the powder with 1 spoonful of white glue and gradually add water until it reaches a creamy paint consistency — the glue is the binder that holds the mineral to the surface.
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4
If you want color, work in a pinch of the natural pigment and mix well until the tone is uniform.
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5
Paint with the brush in thin layers, letting it dry between coats — calcium carbonate covers well, but thick layers can crack as they dry.
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6
Store what's left in a closed jar in the fridge and use within a few days, stirring well before reusing.
Finishing touches
for a more rustic, textured finish, use the less fine powder (without sifting) and apply with a spatula — it gets the look of artisanal plaster. Test it first on a small piece of cardboard to adjust the consistency before going to the final piece.
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