Earth pigments include ochres, naturally coloured
clays and rocks, which have been providing colour since prehistoric times. They
are strong, lightfast, permanent and hugely versatile in how they can be
utilised. As well as explaining the background and ancient uses for these
pigments, this course will be hands-on. You will use earth pigments as your
prehistoric ancestors did and then look at the many ways you can continue to
employ them in your own home and life.
On this course our main colours will be ochres: red and yellow
ochres, along with other earth pigments. Together, these give a soft natural
palate of complimentary colours.
Monday
You will start your week by getting 'hands-on' straight away,
making hand prints in the way our ancestors did back in prehistory. You will
become familiar with the range of earth pigments, how pigments and dyes are
different and how we might use pigments.
Tuesday
We will look at how prehistoric people used earth pigments to
paint images in caves and again, we will be hands-on, doing our own cave
paintings using ochres.
Wednesday
We will then go on to look at a range of different painting and
printing techniques, making samples as we go which we can refer back to. One of
these techniques will be 'colourwashing', a way in which earth pigments can be
used to add colour to the walls of our homes.
Thursday and Friday
We will start to draw this knowledge together to make a selection of
small project items and then a larger project. These will vary according to
what techniques and colours each person is drawn to.
What to bring:
- Notebook and pen/pencil
- Old jam jars, yogurt pots or saucers
for mixing paint
- Apron (optional)
- Paint brushes (art kind)
- Paint brushes (household decorating kind)
- A potato
If you have them, you could also bring:
- Cutting mat and craft knife
- Wallpaper paste brush
All other materials and
tools will be provided, as well as handouts and information.
During the week, we will
discuss a range of books that are of interest, and a list of these will be
given as part of the handouts for the course.
No previous experience or
background reading is needed.
Helen Leaf
About Helen
Helen is a doctor of
archaeology, a skilled craftswoman and has a passion for ancient trees. She is
a verifier for the Ancient Tree Inventory and a guided walk leader in Sherwood
Forest.
She writes about her ongoing experiences recording veteran
and ancient trees on her website, www.theoaksofsherwood.com
