Day workshop:
In this workshop you will discover how many ancient / traditional / historical paints were made (and still are) and where to start to make your very own natural paints and mineral pigments at home.
A perfect starting point to create your own simple, efficient, sustainable, plastic-free art materials and/or to beginning a journey into making your own interior paints... Or to scratch that itch and understand where these extra pigments we use in construction and conservation actually come from!
We will start the day with the base principles of pigment-making: extracting pure colours from various minerals, from local earths to sands and clays foraged by the tutor. These natural pigments can be used not only for paints, but for making pastels, crayons, mortar additives… even cosmetics!
(Pigments samples can be taken home to finish or use after the course)
While the pigments settle and the kettle boils, participants will have a go at making their own natural paintbrushes. Following historical descriptions, the tutor’s demonstrations and their own creativity, everyone should end up with a selection of feather, animal hair or vegetal fibres brushes to take home.
The end of the day will be spent exploring different binders (adhesives to mix with pigments to make paint) and testing the paints made. We will focus on water-based binders: egg tempera, tree gum, milk casein, wheat paste, etc.
Participants are very welcome to enquire about other types of paints and their suitability for various surfaces or projects, bring examples of their work or even bring a small sample of their own soil, sand or mineral to check if it can be turned into pigment. Chats and questions are strongly encouraged!
Notes:
. Do not hesitate to bring your own notebook, thermos/coffee cup and an apron if you fancy wearing one (pigments CAN stain clothes).
. Tea breaks and lunch will be spread throughout the day.
. One* VERY discounted ticket is available for this course as Caroline, the tutor, is very keen on improving financial accessibility to her workshops and we very much support such initiatives. To enquire about this please email her directly at pario.gallico@gmail.com, simply explaining your situation (*potentially two).
Please note: Course fees are payable upon booking and are non refundable.
About the Tutor:
Caroline Nicolay (who runs ‘’Pario Gallico’’) is an archaeologist and heritage interpreter specialising in bringing historic techniques and crafts to life, from paint making in early history to open-fire cooking using clay pots. Her research was focusing on Iron Age wall paintings and evolved towards historic and vernacular building techniques.
Mainly working with museums and heritage sites, she has been running courses for a number of years, hoping to share widely some techniques that are both thousands of years old and increasingly popular in our 21st century as sustainable arts & building practices.