Summer Week 7 | Exploring Place-Based Pigments and Papers

This program is part of our Summer Program, beginning on Sunday (July 26) and ending on Saturday (August 1).  Class runs Monday morning through Friday morning, with additional programming on Sunday and Saturday.

Have you ever found a really good rock and wondered if you could keep the color forever? Or have you ever wanted to make your own paint? In this class, participants are invited to explore color, surface, and material through direct engagement with the landscape. Students will learn to recognize naturally occurring ochres—colorful stones that can be processed into pigments—and will search for these and other color-producing materials during guided walks outdoors.

Collected materials will be brought back to the studio and transformed into handmade paints! Participants will learn how to make and work with their own watercolors, experimenting across a variety of surfaces including paper and textiles. Walks will also offer opportunities to gather saps, flowers, and leaves that can be incorporated into pigments or used directly in creative projects.

In the studio, students will explore plant-based paint making, a starch-based glue suitable for collage and pressed-plant work, and a paper-making demonstration that incorporates found plant materials. There will also be opportunities to experiment with handmade threads or twines created from gathered natural materials.

This course emphasizes curiosity, observation, and process—inviting participants to slow down, notice place, and work in relationship with the materials of the land.

What creative modalities are used in this course?

Paint making, foraging, walking.

What will class time be like?

Class will be filled with walks and split equally between foraging and making.

Through a combination of discussion in the studio and hands-on observational gathering walks, you will learn to look for color in your everyday life in the form of stones, soils and plants.

Understand gathering practices and how to thoughtfully approach found materials through guidelines formed as a group in the studio and put into practice on walks.

Learn to hand process mineral pigments and mix them with waters and binders to create your own watercolor paints. This will involve demonstrations, hands-on learning and experimental trial and error.

Will I need to work outside of class?

All pigments can be made in class.

Do I need experience to take this class?

No prior experience is required.

What do I need to bring to class?

Good walking shoes and any favorite rocks would be welcome.