EARTH PIGMENT OIL PAINT WORKSHOP AT MOON HORSE RANCH
from $425.00
Saturday, July 22rd, 2023 9 am to 1 pm
Sunday, July 23rd, 2023 9 am to 1 pm
PLEASE NOTE TIME CHANGE: DUE TO HEAT WAVE ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST, AND FOR THE HEALTH AND ENJOYMENT OF ALL WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS, WE ARE CHANGING THE TIME TO THE MORNING.
A two day workshop at our little ranch south of Santa Fe, New Mexico, on how to make oil paintings from dirt and rock and paint the landscape en plein air. 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 oil paint. On the second day we'll learn how to mix the earth and mineral pigment into oil to make an archival, organic paint. We'll end our time painting en plein air meditations on the landscape with the oil paint we've made from the earth.
No previous experience required, all skill levels and backgrounds are welcome.
SCHEDULE
Saturday
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.
Sunday
On the second day we'll learn how to mix oil into the refined pigments and pour them into sealed cupts for long term use. Then we'll experiment with making our own paintings using the oil paint made from earth. Then we’ll paint the landscape, looking at several techniques for painting flora and fauna en plein air with oils. You are welcome to set up you easel near our horse pasture or paint our goats. Each participant will take home oil paint made from dirt and rock and the skills to make their own paint from dirt and rock.
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
oil painting brush
small cups with lids for storing paint
small bottles with lids for storing pigments
a gessoed canvas or wood panel for painting
paper palette
palette knife
titanium White oil paint, in a tube or as pigment
cotton rags (an old t shirt or dish towel works great)
one biodegradable trash bag
en plein air travel easel (optional); we will have easels set up on tables to share but if you have a travel easel you’d like to bring you are welcome to
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, who has offered all registered workshop participants 15% off up to a four night stay. 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.
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 AGE OF CORONA
During the workshop we will be observing the current New Mexico Covid guidelines. At present masks are optional. 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 earth and oil.