EARTHS TO PIGMENTS, PLANTS TO INKS - ancient techniques for contemporary artists

31 August - 4 September 2026, 12 - 16 April 2027, 13 - 17 September 2027. taught by Carey Mortimer

price 500€ - does not include accommodation or food.

Learn the techniques of the ancients and create a sustainable art practice for the present era.

We will make pigments from earths and rocks by sifting, grinding, levigating and mulling; a range of beautiful black pigments by carbonising bones, peach stones and vine cuttings; white pigments will be made from egg shells and lime. Also a walk to collect coloured earths. a visit to a nearby fresco site and a visit to a country house for a vegetarian lunch (included) and some field trips to use the materials that you have made!

You will learn how to make these pigments into paints by following recipes for historical painting mediums such as egg tempera, size tempera, casein tempera, watercolour (gum arabic and fruit tree gum).

Inks will be made from oak galls and walnut husks. And a quill made from a feather to draw with the inks.

Supports and watercolour paper will be provided for making small paintings from the pigments and inks you have made.

A wide selection of books is available to the students showing examples of ancient, medieval, Renaissance and contemporary painting.