You can make multi-color areas without mixing up the art sand colors. Choose two or more colors to mix. Using your fingers, lightly sprinkle one color onto the exposed area. Do not rub, but do tap off the extra grains and put them back into the container. Do the same with the next color, and with each color after that except your last one. For the final color, pour it on and rub it in as you would a single color. You’ve created a mixed color and your art sands are still clean!

 Make parts of your picture seem to ‘glow’ and stand out better by sprinkling white, yellow, or another light color of art sand all around the outline of the shape before filling in the background.

You can add paper shapes, stickers, rhinestones, colored threads and other lightweight objects to the adhesive before painting with sand. Press them down firmly and press (not rub) the art sand around them. If you want to add wet glue to hold something heavier in place, finish all of your sand painting first.

When you’re painting a large area, such as a background, you can create soft boundaries between sand colors, much like a watercolor painting. Instead of removing the entire top paper, tear pieces of it off, creating a ragged edge. When you tear off the next section and paint, the edges of the two colors will have a blended look.

Add details or stripes of color to your painting by folding sections of the top paper rather than removing it all at once. Then use a different art sand color in each section. Create the look of a frame by folding the top paper back evenly from all four edges and painting them all one color.

You can etch details or write your name in the sand while the art sand is still fresh. Draw gently into the sand with the stylus. Do not tap the loose sand off the board until after the next step. Sprinkle a contrasting color into the line and press it in (don’t rub). Now tap off the loose grains; the colors will be mixed, so keep them separate. It’s best to do this step last, after all areas have been painted solid.