— Process —
I have always been drawn to materials in their raw elemental state. In 2018, while pregnant with my daughter, I set out to find a natural, earth-friendly painting medium. When research came up short, I started experimenting with activated charcoal — a rich black powder known for its detoxifying properties. When mixed with water the charcoal has a watercolour-like texture, with more grit and grain. To bind pigment to paper, I mixed in honey and gum arabic, then added a few drops of clove essence as a preserver.
Natural Paint Recipe
Mixing the paint in small batches
A small heap of activated charcoal (pigment)
Adding a few droppers of honey (binder)
Blending pigment into binder with a glass muller
Testing consistency through gradient scales
— Natural Paint Recipe —
1/4 cup gum arabic
1/2 cup boiling water
mix well
1 tbsp honey
1 drop clove essence
mix well
1/2 cup activated charcoal
(or powdered pigment of choice)
mix well
The consistency should be opaque when brushed directly onto paper. Depending on the pigment, you may wish to add a little more or less. For more transparent layers, dilute the mixture with water as you would with water-colour paint.
Work in progress, painting of Ruba
Abstract painting on Saint Armand paper