Masterclass: The Alchemy of Colour

About this course

The workshop explores traditional pigment-making from natural sources, including earth, rocks, semi-precious minerals and plants. Participants process materials such as malachite, azurite, cinnabar, chrysocolla, roots and berries to produce usable pigments. The second stage introduces historical paint-making methods using mediums including gum kordofan, egg tempera, casein, glue and plant oils. The course concludes with participants making a set of 12 handmade watercolour half-pans from the pigments they have prepared.

What you'll learn

• Extract pigments from minerals, plants and other natural materials
• Process raw materials into pigments suitable for paint-making
• Prepare traditional paint mediums including egg tempera, casein, glue and plant oils
• Make handmade watercolour half-pans using prepared pigments

Is this course right for you?

The course is listed as suitable for all levels, indicating that learners with varied experience may attend. The workshop involves active participation in pigment extraction and traditional paint preparation, but the source does not specify any prior experience requirements.

Before you go

• Participants create and take home 12 handmade watercolour half-pans made from the pigments prepared during the workshop.