Dyeing eggs with natural dyes has become a yearly tradition for 6:12 Photography. This year, photographer Eric McKinney is taking you on a look behind-the-scenes at how to create these beautiful colors yourself.
For
RED / ORANGE egg dye, the natural ingredient is Yellow Onion Skins. Peel the skins of 5 to 10 yellow onions, adding in 4 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of white vinegar. Boil the dye for 30 minutes, before dropping in your eggs.
For an Orange egg, leave egg in solution for two hours.
For a Sienna / Red egg, leave egg in solution overnight.
For
PURPLE egg dye, the natural ingredient is Red Onion Skins. Peel the skins of 1 to 3 red onions, adding in 4 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of white vinegar. Boil the dye for 30 minutes, before dropping in your eggs.
For a Chartreuse/Mauve egg, leave egg in solution for two hours.
For a Purple / Mulberry egg, leave egg in solution overnight.
For
YELLOW egg dye, the natural ingredient is Turmeric. Use 2 tablespoons of Turmeric, adding in 2 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of white vinegar. Boil the dye for 20 minutes, before dropping in your eggs.
For an softer Yellow egg, leave egg in solution for two hours.
For a bold/bright Yellow egg, leave egg in solution overnight.
For
BLUE egg dye, the natural ingredient is Red Cabbage. Chop 2 cups worth of red cabbage, adding in 4 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of white vinegar. Boil the dye for 30 minutes, before dropping in your eggs.
For a pale Blue egg, leave egg in solution for two hours.
For a bold Blue / Turquoise egg, leave egg in solution overnight.
For
GREEN egg dye, the natural ingredients are Red Cabbage and Turmeric. Mix 3 parts Red Cabbage dye with 2 parts Turmeric dye.
For a bold Green egg, leave egg in solution overnight.
For a
BROWN egg dye, the natural ingredient is Coffee. Brew coffee (strong). Mix in 2 tablespoons of white vinegar with 2 cups of coffee.
For a Tan egg, leave egg in solution for two hours.
For a dark Brown egg, leave egg in solution overnight.
Dyeing Easter eggs with natural dyes is certainly more time-consuming than using artificial color tablets, but the finished product of beautiful natural colors is worth the extra time.
For more 6:12 photos, visit facebook.com/photographybyericmckinney. If you enjoy my work, take a moment to click "like" on my page. You can also follow 6:12 on Instagram @mannequin612.
Interested in booking a photo session with 6:12 Photography? Contact Eric McKinney at emckinney612@gmail.com to schedule a shoot.
