EARTH PIGMENT WATERCOLOR PAINT MAKING WORKSHOP TAOS

EARTH PIGMENT PAINT MAKING WORKSHOP AT TAOS ART MUSEUM

Saturday, June 29th, 2024 noon to 4 pm

Sunday, June 30th, 2024 noon to 4 pm

Come learn to make paint made from the land. A two day workshop in the garden at Taos Art Museum on how to make watercolor paint from dirt and rock. On the first day we'll gather soil and minerals, then grind them into refined pigments and begin the process for making fine artist grade paint. On the second day we'll learn how to mix the earth and mineral pigment into a binder to make watercolors. We'll end our time painting color study meditations with the watercolors we've made from the earth under the western sky.

No previous experience required, all skill levels and backgrounds are welcome.

SCHEDULE

Saturday

We'll begin with a history of natural pigments and reciprocal, leave-no-trace practices for collecting. Then we'll collect our own dirt and rocks, break them down, and begin the water refinement process to create fine art grade natural pigments.

Sunday

On the second day we'll learn how to mix binders into the refined pigments and pour them into trays for long term use. Then we'll experiment with making our own paintings using the watercolors made from earth. Each participant will take home watercolor paint made from Taos dirt and rock and the skills to make their own paint from dirt and rock.

MATERIALS

Because in this workshop we welcome all backgrounds and levels of experience, we understand some of you may already have all or most of the required tools while others have none. With that understanding we offer two options for materials: you may bring your own or you may purchase them from us and have them waiting at the workshop for you.

Required materials:

mortar and pestle made of marble, stone, or ceramic (wood will not work)

fine sieve and funnel (one used for canning jam is fine)

a spoon for collecting dirt and rock

watercolor brush

watercolor palette canteen or tin and cup

watercolor notebook

paper palette

palette knife

small containers to store dirt, rock, and pigments

Titanium White watercolor, solid half pan

TRAVEL AND LODGING

Workshop participants are responsible for their own travel to and lodging in Taos.

REFUND POLICY

Due to the nature of these workshops and how much long term planning and preparation goes into each one, refunds cannot be given. Exchanging a workshop ticket for a future Earth Pigment Paint Making Workshop may be possible and will be considered on a case by case basis.

We hope you will join us in learning the Art of Paint Making from dirt and rock.

All photographs by Stella Maria Baer of earth and mineral pigments made from dirt and rock except the last one of Fechin House at the Taos Art Museum, courtesy of the Taos Art Museum.

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