How to make handmade paper dyed with art aqua liquid watercolour

1   Moisten the paper pulp and tear it into small pieces. Leave it to soak completely.

2   Whisk the paper pulp to a uniform consistency either with a hand whisk or an electrical hand mixer.

3   Pour the mixture into a tub large enough to fit the paper making frame mould. Add the art aqua liquid watercolour – remember to use plastic gloves due to the dye. Since red and green are complementary colours, a few drops of green in the red dye bath will give a more washed out colour. And vice versa.

4   Stir the mixture just before use.

5   Hold the frame vertically at the back of the tub. The side on which the screen is attached should face you.

6   Submerge the frame underneath the pulp horizontally. Push it forwards and backwards until the screen is covered and lift it out of the tub. Let the water drip off. A tip: Sieve the left-over pulp from the water, leave to dry and save it for next time. Never pour it directly into the sink, as it can block the drains.

7   Fold a piece of felt and run it across the underneath of the frame to soak up the water. Squeeze out the water and continue like this until most of the water is absorbed.

8   Turn over the frame and place it with the pulp face down onto a piece of felt.

9   Soak up more water but only press lightly.

10   Carefully remove the frame. Make sure that the pulp section comes away from the frame before lifting it. Leave the homemade piece of paper on the felt to dry. The drying time varies according to room temperature (24-48 hours).