Botanical Watercolors: building historical palettes using methods by artists such as Van Gogh and Leonardo da Vinci and most artists up until the mid 1800's. Cultivating an Ethically Foraged Palette. This is the adult class segment:

This hands-on workshop introduces participants to the process of creating natural watercolor pigments from responsibly foraged materials. Due to time constraints, some preparatory steps are completed in advance, allowing the session to focus on ethical foraging practices, proper preparation techniques, and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Preparing materials in advance allows more time for demonstrations and discussion on materials and process and actual use of taking the natural dye materials and using a glass mueller and gum arabic to create our own painting palettes.

 

We begin with a guided discussion of the plant materials at each workstation, including avocado seeds and skins, blueberries, mica minerals, and the use of a glass muller. Participants observe the preparation of natural dyes derived from daffodils, false indigo, avocado seeds, and potato vine leaves. Through adjustments in pH, these materials yield a rich spectrum of hues, from deep, saturated tones to soft, subtle washes, all of which will be incorporated into painting.

 

The primary goal of this workshop is to build a functional, sustainable painter’s palette. Rather than dyeing textiles, participants will use these natural dyes as historical artists once did—drawing from 19th-century practices when pigments were sourced from plants, minerals, and insects. While synthetic dyes later expanded artistic possibilities, many modern palettes are not environmentally friendly. This workshop emphasizes understanding traditional methods as a foundation before exploring contemporary alternatives.