Paste Paper is the grown-up version of finger painting. Paper decorated with "paste" can be used as a writing surface for calligraphy, or more commonly, in bookbinding projects. It can also be used in cards, or as gift wrap.
2 teaspoons tacky white glue
Stir together cornstarch and water in a saucepan and cook until think. Remove from heat and stir in the white glue. Store in the fridge in a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid.
Making the Paste Paper
When you are ready to use the paste, divide it among several containers and add colors as you desire. Pretty much any water-based colors will do - watercolors, gouache, acrylics, inks, tempura paints, etc. It's fun to experiment with different ones to see what kind of results you get. Nowadays you can also add water-based irridescent colors, metallics, pearlescents, etc.
Spread your work surface with the plastic sheets. Be aware that this can be a rather messy business, so you might want to cover the floor area as well - especially if you are using colors that stain.
Lay out a sheet of paper on the plastic. Then place some colored paste on the paper. You can use just one color or a number of colors.
Spread the paste out over the whole of the paper and then manipulate it to form patterns, designs, etc.
This is where things really can get creative. Use your hands and fingers to create designs. Use kitchen tools with interesting edges. Use rubber stamps. Use whatever you want that will create interesting patterns and designs.
You could also write in the paste. I've used popsicle sticks that I've cut off to give me a flat edge, then sanded them to a sharp flat edge. I've sanded the edges of cheap wooden chopsticks. Both of these form a chisel edge like that of a pen. Use them to write in the paste as if they were pens. You can write words if you want - or you could use patterns, ie, like calligraphy border patterns.
When you're happy with your design, either hang it somewhere where it can dry or find a flat surface where you can lay it out to dry.
Depending on the paper you've used, you will almost always get a bit of wrinkling. One way to take care of that - after the paper has dried - is to press it between two sheets of bookboard. Spray a fine mist of water on the back side of the paste paper before putting it between the bookboards and it will flatten out nicely. You want just enough mist to dampen the paper slightly, not to get it wet.
Here are some of the paste papers I've created and used.
