Earth Pigment Paint Making

Instructor Hannah Heaton For anyone who wants to incorporate local materials into their creative work by learning how to make watercolor and oil paint from natural earth pigments. Have you ever wondered what elements make up the colors you use to create? Too often, modern humans are disconnected from the materials we interact with on a daily basis. This workshop will provide an opportunity to learn about the origins of paint and pigments and take you through the process of handcrafting them from start to finish. This hands-on, experiential workshop will include an overview of the history of color, the composition of paint, and the character of pigments, bringing appreciation to a process taken for granted when buying store-bought paint in a tube. We'll explore the basic methods and tools needed for exciting experimentation with making your own paint from natural earth pigments. There will be a demonstration on the two methods used to separate pigment from rock samples and will cover the ratios to use for mixing those pigments with effective binders to make watercolor as well as oil paint. You will gain practical experience with grinding and processing rocks and clay into pigments and mixing those with binders. Tubes and pans will be provided for you to take home your hand-crafted paint!