Tag: watercolor

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Hello!

I’m the new owner of Ancient Earth Pigments.

Hello!  I’m Linda D. Nelson, an all-ages art teacher, artist in Pastels, Oils and Watercolor, jeweler, activist and lifelong environmentalist. I’ve raised my family of 3 kids into strong adults with a great partner. I’m a woman of color who welcomes diversity.

I’m a co-founder of the Santa Barbara Art Association-Student Art Fund, a Non-Profit 501c3 which provides funding and grants for public Jr. and Sr. High School art classes in Goleta, Santa Barbara and Carpinteria, CA.

I support all forms of education by paying attention to local issues, rallying fellow students by connecting them with each other and sharing appropriate Calls to Action.  I’ve marched in Sacramento to support teachers and met with legislators.

My ‘Superpower’ is the ability to listen and help anyone of any age to become more creative and expand their horizons. My love of teaching arts and enjoyment of art history is a perfect fit with historical art pigments and tools. I’m developing my personal style in period illumination and egg tempera.  Ancient Earth Pigments is an awesome source for all of us to experiment in six or more mediums using one jar of color!

Can I help you experience something new and fun, today? Check out our convenient and affordable Historical Color Sets or the smaller beginner’s Pocket Pigment Kit.

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Making Watercolors & Gouache Paints

Making Glair (Egg-white Binder)

for making watercolor paint.
This binder makes transparent watercolors or gold-leaf adhesive. It’s a protein, so is water-soluble only while wet; fairly permanent when dry.

You need:

  • 1 egg white
  • Small deep bowl
  • Pipette*
  • Whisk
  • Lidded container
  • Clove oil*
  • Soapy water for dirty brushes
  • Paper towels for cleanup
  • Small trash bag
  • Art brushes
  • Gum Arabic*
  • Practice paper
  • Paper, parchment, etc. to paint on

 Method:

  • Separate white from yolk, remove opaque ‘eye’ thread.
  • Whisk white to stiff peaks like making a meringue
  • Cover bowl loosely to keep dust-free and set overnight.
  • Next day, scrape off foam and feed to the dog or toss it
  • Pour liquid into container, add drop of clove oil if desired.
  • Add about 1:1 glair and gum Arabic
  • Mix with pigments as with making egg tempera.
  • Glair will keep 1 week in refrigerator if well sealed.
  • Once old glair gets moldy, it’s not good for art, so toss it out.

 

Gouache (Opaque Watercolor)

This recipe creates watercolor paint with white filler‡

  • Mix 1 part whiting‡ to 6 parts pigment.
  • Adjust for depth of opacity as desired.
  • Some artists like a semi-opaque paint. Go for it!

‡ chalk*, kaolin* or titanium dioxide*

* Item sold by Ancient Earth Pigments

 

Image: Red capital “N” with green and russet watercolor edging, from unknown Medieval
manuscript. Note that the capital letter is “inhabited” by a monk-like scribe or artist.