Experiences where we create in nature are the medicine we need for these times.
Sara Combs
The Joshua Tree House
Earth Pigment Paint Making
Friday, April 23rd, 12 to 4 pm
Saturday, April 24th, 12 to 4 pm
Painting the Land with Paint Made from the Land
Sunday, April 25th, 12 to 4 pm
Monday, April 26th, 12 to 4 pm
A two to four day workshop at our little ranch south of Santa Fe, New Mexico, on how to make watercolor paint from dirt and rock and paint the land with the land. After many requests for longer workshops and more teaching on painting, we are now offering an optional two days of painting focusing on watercolor techniques and painting the western landscape, flora, and fauna. If you have already taken Earth Pigment Paint Making you are welcome to join us for days 3 and 4, or if your focus is only on the pigment making you may take only days 1 and 2. Or you may join us for the full four days.
On the first day we’ll gather soil and minerals, then grind them into refined pigments and begin the process for making fine artist grade paint. On the second day we’ll learn how to mix the earth and mineral pigment into tree sap, honey, and glycerin to make watercolors. On the third day we’ll paint color study meditations with the watercolors we’ve made from the earth under the western sky. On the fourth day we’ll focus in on the flora and fauna of the southwest – juniper, rabbit brush, horses, goats, ravens.
No previous experience required, all skill levels and backgrounds are welcome. In each workshop there are fine artists looking to transition their studio practices to earth and mineral pigments as well as folks with no artistic background at all, only a desire to connect more deeply with the land and recover their creative selves. There is enough one on one time built into the workshop to allow for all backgrounds and levels of experience.
SCHEDULE
Friday
We’ll begin with a history of natural pigments and reciprocal, leave-no-trace practices for collecting. Then we’ll collect our own dirt and rocks, break them down, and begin the water refinement process to create fine art grade natural pigments. We’ll learn two different ways of making paint from dirt, sand, and stones.
Saturday
On the second day we’ll learn how to mix binders into the refined pigments and pour them into trays for long term use. We’ll learn two more ways of making paint from the earth that yield different colors and textures.
Sunday
Learning several different watercolor techniques, we will make our own paintings using the watercolors made from earth. Each participant will take home watercolor paint made from Santa Fe dirt and rock, the skills to make their own paint from dirt and rock at home, and a painting made from the land.
MATERIALS
Because in this workshop we welcome all backgrounds and levels of experience, we understand some of you may already have all or most of the required tools while others have none. With that understanding we offer two options for materials: you may bring your own or you may purchase them from us and have them waiting at the workshop for you.
Required materials:
mortar and pestle made of marble, stone, or ceramic (wood will not work)
fine sieve and funnel (one used for canning jam is fine)
a spoon for collecting dirt and rock
watercolor brush
watercolor pans
watercolor palette for storing pans
watercolor notebook
paper palette
palette knife
small containers to store dirt, rock, and pigments
Titanium White watercolor, solid half pan
SCHOLARSHIPS
A limited number of scholarships are available. To apply for a scholarship please fill out this form. The last day to submit a scholarship application is March 15th. All recipients will be notified by March 20th. If you would like to sponsor a scholarship as a Moon Horse Ranch Partner please let us know.
TRAVEL AND LODGING
Workshop participants are responsible for their own travel to and lodging in Santa Fe. For those traveling from out of town, the nearest airports are in Santa Fe, 20 minutes away, and Albuquerque, which is an hour drive away. Lodging wise, we recommend the El Rey Court and Hotel Glorieta, who have offered all registered workshop participants 25% off up to a four night stay the weekend of the workshop. The exact location of the workshop will be sent to registered participants the week before arrival. Moon Horse Ranch is 30 minutes south of downtown Santa Fe, between the villages of Cerillos and Galisteo.
REFUND POLICY
Due to the nature of these workshops and how much long term planning and preparation goes into each one, refunds cannot be given. Exchanging a workshop ticket for a future workshop at Moon Horse Ranch may be possible and will be considered on a case by case basis.
The workshop will be entirely outside in the open air under the western sky. We hope you will join us in learning the Art of Paint Making from dirt and rock.