Natural Paint Making Course using Natural Earth Pigments with Erin MacAirt.

We have been in touch with local artist Erin MacAirt to discuss her recent natural paint-making course using Natural Earth Pigments. The workshop, held at Y Stiwdio in Pembrokeshire, provided opportunities for locals to learn how to create artist-quality paint from natural pigments sourced from the earth.

Erin has always been interested in exploring how art materials were made in the past before the start of industrialised mass production. This curiosity has driven her to experiment with her own artistic work and has eventually led her to offer courses that allow others to benefit from her research and expertise. Erin teaches people how to create their inks and paints using natural pigments. When she isn't sourcing pigments from the local landscape, she enjoys using the pigments provided by Celtic Sustainables.

During the course, participants learned how to process raw materials to make watercolour paints with local earth pigments. They also had a chance to mix some pre-ground natural and synthetic colours to add extra vibrancy to their artwork using our coloured earth pigments. The course was designed for complete beginners.

“I love using the pigments from Celtic Sustainables because I know their ethos is aligned with mine, they’re a local, small, independent business, and I support that. They offer pigments that are ready to use and don’t require grinding, sieving and processing, so it’s a very accessible option. I love offering Coloured Earth Pigments in my class because the colours are varied and add an extra vibrancy to the palette. They are perfectly ground and ready to use, and they make wonderful watercolours you can use at home or on your travels.” - Erin

Refreshments were generously provided, creating a warm atmosphere for students. They left with invaluable experiences that enriched their skills in paint-making and gave them the confidence to try making their paints in the future.

This course is part of the Upskill and Upcycle series, generously funded by Community Foundation Wales. For more information on future courses, please follow Cwm Arian Renewable Energy, which regularly hosts events led by the project teams. They offer a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, and some events are fully funded by grants. This month alone, courses have included a metalworking workshop, needle felt mending, crochet courses, and more!

"I love offering workshops and hope they give people the confidence to continue exploring, experimenting and expressing themselves through the creative process. I try to encourage students to let go of any judgment and have fun. It’s all about the process."- Erin.

If you would like more information about Coloured Earth Pigment, feel free to visit us at our Cardigan showroom. We have a complete selection of natural and synthetic pigments available in 100g and 500g pots, with larger quantities (8kg) also available. We have created guides on how to use the pigments to make artists' pencils, paints, and more, so we can share our firsthand experience to help you.

For more information regarding Erin MacAirt –

Erin MacAirt is an artist and printmaker in West Wales near the Preseli mountains, home of the Bluestone of Stonehenge. Her art blurs the line between visible and invisible worlds. Using etching, lino printing, and oil painting, Erin explores our relationship with the space in between, the untameable and unnameable, where time is a spiral.

• Art that blurs the line between reality and the Otherworlds: Www.erinmacairt.bigcartel.com
• News from an artist living in West Wales; explorations into consciousness, myth and the cosmic giggle:  https://erinmacairt.substack.com 
• Instagram @erinmacairt

We’ve spoken before about using Coloured Earth Pigments. Here are some of our articles and guides to using pigments-

• Therapeutic Art Sessions using Coloured Earth Pigments
• Coloured Earth Pigments in collaboration with Sea of Grass Studio, Making Artist pastels with Coloured Earth Pigment Guide
• Ceredigion Arts Trail Magazine 2018 with Coloured Earth Pigments
• Artist workshop in collaboration with Fibre Arts Take Two and Coloured Earth Pigments
• Making Egg Tempera Paint with Dry Pigments
• Designer Emily Betts creates her beautiful organic textiles with Coloured Earth Pigments
• Time Travelling Interior Designers using Natural Earth Pigments