Dry Erase Tattoos

Take and Makes for this project will be available at area PPLD libraries beginning Friday, Nov. 5, 2021.

Supplies and Directions:

Materials we provide: Dry Erase Marker
Materials you provide: Glass or ceramic surface (Pyrex pans, plates, bathtubs, etc.), Water

1. Draw a picture on your smooth glass/ceramic surface with a dry erase marker.
2. Cover the drawing with some water (the warmer the better).
3. Watch while your drawing lifts off the surface and floats around on the water!
4. You can push the drawing around to your heart’s content.
5. After you have watched your drawings come to life in the water, stick your hand into the swirling color and it will stick to your skin like a tattoo!

TIPS:

• You will be more successful if you draw a solid picture (e.g. a solid shape).
• When the drawing lifts off the surface, it will not maintain its shape.
• The skin tattoo will wash off very easily.

This works because dry erase markers are mostly made up of alcohol and a release agent made of silicon oils. When you write on the plate or Pyrex dish, the alcohol evaporates and just leaves behind the ink and release agent. We all know that oil and water don’t mix, so the ink with the oils in the release agent just float to the top!