Gum Arabic is made from the sap of the Acacia tree. It is used as a binder for two paints: water color and gouache. The amount of pigment used dictates whether it results in a transparent or opaque paint.

• 1 ounce (28g) gum arabic
• 1/2 cup (100ml) water
• 2 teaspoons liquid honey
• 1 tablespoon natural pigment

Grind up the gum arabic as much as possible in a morter. Put it in a double boiler and cook till it's dissolved as it's going to get. It may never all dissolve and you could strain it through cheesecloth. Put the pigment in a bowl and add a small amount of the binder mixing well into a smooth paste, then gradually add the rest of the binder. Use as any watercolor. I don't need to tell you it's not washable. Best used for decorative effects.