Article: Since you will be working with paint pigments and a medium, protect yourself by wearing a mask or respirator. You may also want to cover your arms by wearing long-sleeved clothing. The paints are non-toxic unless you use metal-based pigments like “cadmium red.” However, these paints are not meant for use on skin. You will need dry paint pigment in the color you wish to make. Pour about 1 tablespoon, or 1⁄2 ounce (14 g), of pigment onto a mixing surface such as a paint palette or slab.  You can find dry paint pigment at art supply stores. Each pigment has a visible color and is labeled appropriately, such as Titanium White or Red Iron. Many artists use glass or stone slabs. You may be able to find plexiglass at a home improvement store and use that to mix your paint. Adding a little bit of water can help you get the paint to the proper consistency. Spread the paint to create space in the center of the pigment pile. Using a pipette or eye dropper, squeeze 2 or 3 drops of water into the space. If the pigment isn’t completely smooth, the paint may look grainy once you use it later. Use a palette knife or spatula to spread the water throughout the pigment. Mix the paint until it has a smooth, sauce-like consistency. Try to eliminate any clumps of raw pigment you see.  You might not be able to remove all the lumps right away. This is okay, since you will get another chance to thin the paint. If you make your own paint often, consider purchasing a paint muller online or from an art supply store. A paint muller grinds and disperses raw pigment. Start with approximately 2 tablespoons, or  1 fl. oz., of your liquid paint medium. The medium you choose depends on what type of paint you want to make. Art supply stores sell different mediums for acrylics, or you can get a plant-based oil to make oil paint.  For example, you can use a gloss medium to make thin, transparent acrylic paint. For oil paint, use linseed, walnut, or poppy oil. Use your palette knife or spatula to combine the pigment and medium. When the paint is at the proper consistency, it will appear smooth, firm, and a little glossy. Adjust the paint by adding more of the medium as necessary until it reaches the consistency you desire.  Add the medium gradually while mixing it into the paint. Check the consistency frequently so you don't add too much. Excess paint may be spread onto tin foil, wrapped up tightly, and preserved in a freezer for at least 2 or 3 months.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Wear a dust mask to protect yourself from the paint. Pour raw color pigment onto a flat mixing surface. Pour 2 drops of water if you want to smooth out the pigment. Mix the paint and water with a palette knife. Add your paint medium to the pigment. Mix the paint and add more of the medium for consistency.
Article: Put the tray in a dark corner of a shed, closet, basement, or other suitable area. The dark room should be kept between 50 to 70 °F (10 to 21 °C). Because you’re working indoors, the temperature most likely won’t need to be adjusted. For the mushrooms to grow, the temperature needs to be no higher than 70 °F (21 °C) in the daytime and no lower than 50 °F (10 °C) at night. If the temperature goes beyond this, you may need to move the bed to a safer location, such as in shade or indoors.  A dark area, such as in the shade of a tree, also helps, but it’s most important to get the temperature right. You can monitor the soil by placing a soil thermometer in the bed. Mushrooms do well in water, so rain falling on your planting bed is okay. Mushroom spores can be purchased online and may also be found at some gardening stores. Once you have them, put on a pair of rubber gloves. Sprinkle the spores onto the compost, then gently mix them in about 1 in (2.5 cm). Press down on the compost when you’re finished. First, remove the plastic and cardboard if you used it to sterilize the soil. Get some peat moss from a garden center or home improvement store. Spread a 1 in (2.5 cm) layer over the compost. Then spread a single layer of newspaper over the peat moss. Use a spray bottle at least once a day to keep the newspaper wet. If it looks dry, spray it to keep up the humidity level in the bed. Mushrooms thrive in damp environments, so it’s unlikely that you’ll supply too much water by misting. If you’re growing outdoors, increase misting to twice a day to ensure the bed doesn’t dry out.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Place the bed in a dark room to grow portobellos indoors. Move the bed to a climate-controlled area for outdoors growing. Mix the mushroom spores into the compost. Cover the compost with peat moss and newspaper. Mist the newspaper daily to keep it moist.