Easter DIY to Try: Rothko Inspired Easter Eggs

Nail polish Easter eggs, inspired by Mark Rothko.

Taking it back to my art school days with today’s DIY! When I was in college, I was obsessed with the work of abstract expressionists, which eventually led me to color field painting (where I got my love for color palettes).

And one of the artists that inspired me most in school (as cliche as it may have been), Mark Rothko, is who today’s Easter egg DIY is inspired by.

These Rothko Easter eggs involve layers of color (similar to color field paintings that often have many many layers), but are still very easy to make.

Click through to see how they’re done. Surprise… there’s no paint involved, whatsoever!

So how can you make Rothko inspired Easter eggs without any paint?! Just use pretty much everything else.

These eggs are a combination of layers… from traditional egg dyeing to adding nail polish and even colored pencil.

Here’s how to make your own…

Materials for Nail Polish Easter Eggs

• brown eggs OR wooden eggs (like these)
• Easter egg tablet dye set (like this)
• nail polish (in at least two colors, but in the same color family)
• color art pencil (a contarsting color than the nail polishes)
• paper towels or rag that can get dirty

How to Make Rothko Easter Eggs with Nail Polish

1. Start by dyeing brown eggs in a color similar to the nail polish colors you selected.

For example, I used blue and green nail polish, so I dyed the brown eggs I used blue and green. I like to use brown eggs instead of white ones because it give more unique and muted colors.

More about this process here: my #1 Easter egg hack for dyeing brown eggs.

2. Once the eggs are dyed and completely dry, add a layer of nail polish in one color to one half of the egg – it doesn’t have to be perfect.

Then wipe off any excess on a rag or paper towel. The intention is to remove some of the nail polish, creating a more painterly look.

3. Set aside and let dry.

Then, repeat this process with the other nail polish color on the other half of the egg, painting it on and then removing some of it with the paper towel.

4. Set aside again and let dry.

Then, using a high quality colored pencil or pastel pencil draw a line in between the two colors to mimic a Rothko painting.

Or create other patterns and lines on the egg as desired.

Looking for more DIY ideas like this one?

Here’s a few you might like.

• 9 DIYs to try with nail polish
• decorating eggs for Easter ideas
• balloon dipped Easter eggs – inspired by my popular balloon dipped pumpkin DIY

Nail Polish Easter Eggs

Brittni

Taking it back to my art school days with today's DIY! When I was in college, I was obsessed with the work of abstract expressionists, which eventually led me to color field painting (where I got my love for color palettes). And one of the artists that inspired me most in school (as cliche as it may have been), Mark Rothko, is who today's Easter egg DIY is inspired by. These Rothko Easter eggs involve layers of color (similar to color field paintings that often have many many layers), but are still very easy to make.

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Ingredients

  

• brown eggs OR wooden eggs like these
• Easter egg tablet dye set like this
• nail polish in at least two colors, but in the same color family
• color art pencil a contarsting color than the nail polishes
• paper towels or rag that can get dirty

Instructions

 

Start by dyeing brown eggs in a color similar to the nail polish colors you selected.

• For example, I used blue and green nail polish, so I dyed the brown eggs I used blue and green. I like to use brown eggs instead of white ones because it give more unique and muted colors.
• More about this process here: my #1 Easter egg hack.

Once the eggs are dyed and completely dry, add a layer of nail polish in one color to one half of the egg - it doesn't have to be perfect.

• Then wipe off any excess on a rag or paper towel. The intention is to remove some of the nail polish, creating a more painterly look.

Set aside and let dry.

Then, repeat this process with the other nail polish color on the other half of the egg, painting it on and then removing some of it with the paper towel.

• Set aside again and let dry.

Then, using a high quality colored pencil or pastel pencil draw a line in between the two colors to mimic a Rothko painting.

• Or create other patterns and lines on the egg as desired.

Did you make this?Mention @paperandstitch or tag #paperandstitch!

Photography Amelia Lawrence 
Crafting Emma Spear + Brittni Mehlhoff

Are there any artists you love, whose work would make a cool Easter egg? Who are you inspired by lately? I’d love to know.

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