Natural Watercolor and Pigment Making Class: Mayan Blue

Make natural watercolors and pigments with natural indigo from scratch in San Francisco!


Indiana Christov
Indiana Christov
2k

5 hours Class size 1 to 4 guests

$100 - $185 ($185 per guest when you book for 1 guest, $150 for 2 guests, $100 for 3+ guests. $400 per class surcharge applies for private classes)
Learn how to make natural watercolors and pigments in SF!
In this hands-on workshop, you will learn about the fascinating and enigmatic Mayan Blue, a natural historical pigment made since precolonial times in Mesoamerica.
We will first learn how to make a variety of blue and green pigments from scratch with natural indigo extract made in Oaxaca, Mexico, and palygorskite clay.
Once we have created a selection of pigments, we will learn how to make a natural non-toxic recipe for watercolor and disperse these and other natural earth pigments to create a beautiful watercolor kit.
Throughout the session, we will also talk about the chemistry and history of natural pigments in Mexico's precolonial era.
By the end of the class, you can take home a natural watercolor kit to use for your new art hobby!
Add-ons available for this class
  • 4 Color Watercolor TubeKit ($30)
  • 4 Color Fine Pigment Kit ($20)
  • 4.2 fl oz. Natural Watercolor Medium ($10)
  • 1.2 fl oz. Natural Watercolor Medium ($3)
You can add these when you book (optional).
 
Knowledge required
Beginner-friendly.
 
What you'll get
All materials needed to complete the workshop and a beautiful natural watercolor kit are included in the fee. We will also have extra materials, pigments, and paints available for sale.
 
What to bring
Clothes that are comfortable and can be dirtied (or an apron).
 
Suitable for

Suitable for adults, and kids (minimum 8 years old).

An adult must accompany any attending kids, and must pay for a separate ticket.

This experience would also be a fun gift for her, gift for mom or gift for couples.

Location

870 Harrison St, San Francisco, CA 94107

Your teacher can also travel within 10 miles of SF, to a venue of your choice for a private class

Natural Watercolor and Pigment Making Class: Mayan Blue location
Your teacher
Indiana Christov
Indiana Christov

2k

I have been a visual artist for over 15 years, mainly based in Oaxaca, Mexico. Since 2011, under the apprenticeship of Textile artist Maddalena Forcella, I began my journey in organic dyes.
Through independent research, reading scholarly articles on the chemistry and history of natural pigments, and soaking up traditional knowledge from the zapotec villages in my surroundings, I started learning and reformulating recipes for historical pigments, like cochineal lake pigment and Mayan blue, amongst others.
Since my daughter was born in 2022, I realized the importance of having a child-friendly environment, without toxic chemicals and heavy metals floating around my workshop. I believe this is something that all parents, artists and art enthusiasts should have access to. That is why I developed this series of workshops so anyone, including kids, can learn to make natural pigments, and non-toxic, solvent-free formulas for watercolor and oil paints. There is also an incalculable value in the workshop model as a place to socialize in an environment of creativity and shared interests that I can´t get enough of!
I periodically travel to California for work reasons, and I would like to begin growing a community with like-minded people who want to take a deep dive into the alchemy of color and natural pigments.

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2024-10-11 15:00:00
4FHB8OR140 b96a490f1dd90bcefdba5812d2d1076a production San Francisco CA US san-francisco