Mixed Media Art Supply: Color Burst Powders

As a mixed media artist, one thing is true: I love art supplies. Back in 2015, I tried Color Burst Powders for the first time.  I believe they’re now called Color Sparx and co-branded with The Crafter’s Workshop. 

Throughout the post, you’ll notice that I use both “Color Burst” and “Color Sparx” to describe the product — they’re the exact same thing just different labeling.

I’ve been using them a lot with my son (he loves spraying what looks like nothing and seeing the color magically appear), so I thought it was a good time to revisit them.

In this post, I’ll walk you through my first experience with Color Burst, offering tips, techniques, and insights to inspire your own mixed media journey.

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What is Color Burst?

Color Burst is a highly pigmented powder that reacts beautifully with water, offering a watercolor-like effect. The powder comes in squeeze bottles, making it easy to control the amount used.

I suspect it’s inspired-by Brusho…

…which is a highly pigmented watercolor ink powder, manufactured by Colourcraft for over 35 years. Initially, it was used in educational settings for creating large quantities of watercolor paint and for staining wood and fabric. Over time, artists began to appreciate Brusho for its vibrant colors and versatility, leading to its adoption in various art forms, including watercolor painting and mixed media projects.

BTW: It’s on my to-do list to do a Brusho/Color Sparx comparison! Be sure to subscribe to the blog to ensure you get updates.

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Getting Started: Basic Supplies

Before diving into the fun, gather your a few basic supplies:

• Color Burst pigment powders
• Surfaces: watercolor paper, cardstock, and/or shipping tags
• Spray bottle with water
• Matte Medium and/or white acrylic paint
• Stencils, stamps, and embossing powder
• Heat Gun
• Paintbrushes and a container of water
• A muffin palette is great for mixing small amounts of powder, and palette paper works well for messier experiments.

I did use a few supplies beyond what’s in this basics list. As always, I encourage you to grab your own favorite mixed media supplies and tools and see how they work with Color Sparx! I used the stuff that I have around and like to use and you should do what works for you! Read my post all about experimenting with materials HERE.

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Techniques for Stunning Mixed Media Effects

1. Watercolor Burst
   • Start by sprinkling a small amount of pigment powder directly onto dry paper
   • Spritz it with water from the spray bottle.
   • The result is beautiful, translucent colors perfect for layering.
   • Adjust the intensity by varying the amount of water and pigment.
2. Direct Application onto a Wet Surface
   • Wet your surface.
   • Use a brush or other tool to apply the powder directly to your surface and watch the water activate it.
   • This technique produces striking, high-impact colors ideal for focal points.
3. Mixing with Matte Medium
   • For a permanent, non-water-reactive finish, mix Color Burst powders with Matte Medium (or any other gel medium).
   • This creates a soft, acrylic-like paint that’s great for stenciling and sealing layers.
   • You can also mix the Color Burst powders with white acrylic paint to create your own opaque paints.
4. Make Custom Spray Inks
   • Create your own spray inks by mixing Color Burst with water in a Mini Mister.
   • For added shimmer, toss in some mica powder or Perfect Pearls.
   • Use this spray for vibrant backgrounds and layered effects.
5. Embossing Powder Resist
   • Stamp with Versamark (clear ink).
   • Add clear embossing powder, and heat set it.
   • Mix Color Sparx and water to create watercolor paints in whichever colors you desire.
   • Paint over the embossed areas and you’ll see that the hardened embossing powder resists the paint, creating a striking contrast.

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Tips for Successful Layering

• Work in Layers: Build depth by alternating between translucent washes, bold splashes, and patterns made with stencils and stamps.
• Experiment with Water: Use more or less water to control the intensity and flow of the colors.
• Seal with Matte Medium: Lock in certain areas for added durability while maintaining flexibility in other parts of your piece.

Be sure to read my post on mixed media layering HERE.

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Final Thoughts on Color Burst

After experimenting with these pigment powders, I’m thrilled with their versatility and intensity. Whether you want vibrant, water-soluble effects or permanent layers, Color Burst gives you lots of options.

Have you tried Color Sparx yet?  What’s your favorite way to use them?

Also, a quick safety note: These are pigment powders and can easily be inhaled. I recommend using a respirator or wearing a mask when you work with them.

Thanks for stopping by!