Earth pigments are accessible wherever we live and travel, connecting us and our art to the landscape around us. What is available for our use in the natural world has its limitations, but it is not limited. Earth pigments is about discovery and creative exploration. We are reinventing our creative practices to be relational with where we live, as well as invested in the process of making our materials.

January 10th & 11th | From 10-4pm

During our pigment and paint making studio, we will get to know some of the local geology that determines the colors we can forage on the landscape, how to find and ethically harvest rocks and soils, as well as how to transform them from crude to fine paint. We will not be making pigments from plants, but how to create a “lake” will be discussed.

Saturday will be dedicated to pounding and processing our materials into fine pigment, then mulling each in watercolor binder. We will discuss other natural and historic binders and applications in the arts like wax, hide glue, oil, casein, and more!

On Sunday, we will finish pouring our water paints into pans and practice using them in the studio with a few watercolor techniques before heading outside for a spacious, open studio. At the end of the day we will share reflections and observations about earth and art while painting outside. Weather for the Sunday outdoor studio will be taken into consideration, and could include a covered shelter or fire depending on conditions.

Hosted by Wildling Collaborative Arts in Eugene, Oregon

Weekend course cost is $165.

All materials are provided. No previous experience with painting required.

If you would like to purchase a paintmaking starter kit to take home at the end of class they will be available for $60. Kit includes a sample pigment pack with six colors, mixing guide, watercolor gum binder, mixing tile, palette knife, mini clay palette, and muller.