Common Ground: Paint Making Workshop

What if the colors you paint with carried a story?

In this two-day workshop, you'll learn how to transform natural and meaningful materials into handmade watercolor paints. Together, we'll explore the idea of sentimental pigments—paints made from materials that hold personal memories, histories, or emotional significance—and use them to create artwork rooted in personal experience.

Location

Working Classroom
423 Atlantic Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102

Dates & Time

• Saturday, August 15 | 1:00–4:00 pm
• Sunday, August 16 | 1:00–4:00 pm

Because this workshop builds over two sessions, attending both days is strongly encouraged. If you're interested in participating but cannot attend one of the sessions, please contact me before registering. If space is limited, priority will be given to participants who are able to attend both days.

Day One: Earth Pigment Paint Making

In the first session, participants will learn the fundamentals of natural paint making. We will explore how pigments are created and how different materials can be ground, processed, and mixed with binders to create watercolor paints. This session introduces the basic tools, techniques, and possibilities of working with handmade pigments.

Day Two: Sentimental Pigments

On the second day, you'll create additional paints from materials you bring from home—objects connected to a meaningful memory, place, or personal story. We'll experiment with transforming these materials into pigments before using them to create a finished artwork that reflects the stories they carry.

What to Bring

Please bring one or more small, meaningful materials that you would like to incorporate into your artwork. Examples include:

• Dirt or rocks from a special place
• Dried flowers, leaves, or other plant material
• Old makeup (such as eyeshadow or blush)
• Children's art supplies
• Tea or culinary spices
• Charcoal or ash

Material Guidelines

• Materials should be completely dry.
• Plant material must already be dried.
• Materials should not contain oils or grease.
• We will be processing these materials with a mortar and pestle. Items that are super hard (such as a piece of granite) may be labor-intensive to work with.
• Small quantities are all that's needed—a tablespoon of loose material or a few small rocks is plenty.

No prior experience is necessary, and all additional materials and tools will be provided.

Collaborative Zine

At the end of the workshop, each finished artwork will be photographed and included in a collaborative zine documenting the project and the stories embedded in the pigments. By registering for this workshop, you consent to having your completed artwork photographed and reproduced in the publication.

Printed copies of the zine are available to preorder for $20.

Cost

This workshop is free thanks to the generous support of the Urban Enhancement Trust Fund and Working Classroom.