Mix two cups of flour, one cup of salt, and two tablespoons of cream of tartar in a medium-size cooking pot. Add one tablespoon of vegetable oil and two cups of water and stir the mixture over medium heat with a wooden spoon until consistency is smooth. Allow the dough to cool, then knead it to remove any lumps. To color it, add some drops of food coloring as you knead it.

RECIPES FOR HOMEMADE PAINT

Homemade paint is easy to make and store, fun to use and inexpensive. The key ingredient is tempra, a dry versatile powder paint sold in toy and art supply stores.

FINGER PAINT (Cooked) : Mix two tablespoons of cornstarch and six tablespoons of cold water. Stir mixture into one half cup of boiling water, stirring constantly until it thickens. Blend in the tempra powder (in a pinch, food coloring can be substituted). Let the paint cool, then refrigerate it until it is ready for use.

FINGER PAINT (Uncooked) : Combine one cup of regular liquid laundry starch, two cups of cold water, and three cups of soap flakes, stirring well to blend. Divide mixture into quantities your child will need, and color each with tempra powder or food coloring. Any of the leftover basic mixture can be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator.

BRUSH PAINT: Mix on part tempra powder to two parts liquid dishwashing soap and two parts water. Alter the consistency by varying the proportions of soap and water.