My path to becoming a painter was sort of traveled in reverse. I found the pigment first, but wasn’t sure how to make use of them. After some experimenting and research, I made a set of watercolor paints. And then I learned how to make paintings from earth pigments. I think that most artists aren’t starting with rocks. Even the ones who do find their way into the fascinating habit of making their own paints, most likely started out with paints already made and available at the store.
Finding the rocks to use for my art is the first step of the job as an artist making paintings from earth pigments and handmade paints.
Tapping into Nature
I had already tapped my nature muse for other forms of art. My drawings & photography are all nature inspired. I gathered acorns and botanicals like moss and leaves to make Forest Folk and Fairy Mushroom sculptures. After hubs brought me a tractor bucket full of clay from the landslide, I learned how to clean and fire it. The clay is so satisfying for beads and parts for my new Forest Folk.
However, once I learned how to make paint and put those earthy rock ochres I’d found to use, I realized I’d found my niche in the art world.
My Niche: Paintings from Earth Pigments
My niche further narrowed down once I began making oil paints. And as with the beginning of my journey, making the paints came before learning to use them. Oil painting is challenging in different ways than was watercolors. And I love it.
A Little About My Paint-making Process
Since my paints are handmade and (mostly) locally foraged, I have to make sure I have the colors I need before I begin a project. If it’s a plant pigment, then I’ll need to harvest the plant and process it to make the pigment. The only plant sources I use at this time are thyme, and the root bark of Osage trees. The rest comes from foraged rocks, soot, bone, or purchased lapis and titanium dioxide powder.
Here’s a blog post I made earlier about making oil paints:
So, if it’s a rock, then I’ll break it to smaller pieces, then crush it as finely as I can. The crushed rock is the raw pigment. After that I put the powder into a jar and fill the jar with water. Depending on the source rock, I’ll either pour off the colored water into another jar to let it settle, or pour the rinse water out and keep the sediment for the paint. After the water clarifies and the pigment has settled, then I pour off the clear water and let the sediment dry. That is what I’ll make the paint from.
When it comes to plants, there’s more chemistry involved. I’ll make what is called a ‘lake’ pigment. Here’s a post that gives more information on that process.
I hope you love this earthy palette of color as much as I do! Thanks for reading ~ Madison