Todays desk includes a bit of doodling I started while trying a few of the handmade watercolours. Top right corner is the new palette which contains all the colours made so far. The lovely palette of gold and silver watercolours are called "Pearl Colors" made by Coliro. Lots of different brands for sale but these were a good price in Australia.
To the left of my desk you will find a mask and a vacuum bag. Whenever I crush/grind rocks suitable for mulling into watercolour I always wear a mask to ensure I am not inhaling rock dust. Masks have to be the N95 filtration grade just like the ones recommended for COVID 19. I had planned to make my own and searched where I could find the filtration fabric. Guess what it was in the storeroom. The vacuum cleaner bags are guaranteed to filter out 99.5% of airborne particles. Look for the term HEAP on the bag or box to see if they are suitable.
May try to make my own mask as youTube offers a squillion different ways.
But, then again I could get distracted and do something else like "stay home".
A few too many photos showing steps to making watercolour from rocks. Stop now if it's not your thing. But, a few WOYWW did show some interest!
1. Find ochre rocks.
2. Smash them with a hammer while wearing appropriate face mask.
3. Grind small pebbles in a mortar and pestle to a fine consistency.
4. Mix ground rock powder with water and stir.
5. Filter the water mix through coffee filters.
6. Let sediment on the coffee filter dry.
7. Grind sediment and mix in water and filter again (x3 then I got bored).
8. When you have an extra fine pigment powder it is ready to mull. Or you could buy pigment powder from a manufacturer and start here!
9. Mull pigment powder with a binder. I use gum arabic, honey, glycerin, oil of clove and distilled water.
Apologies for the long post but if anyone shows some interest I can't help sharing the love.
Stay safe and keep crafting.
Thanks for the step by step Sandra it was very informative and interesting. I hadn't thought of using hoover bags to make masks. Stay safe and Happy WOYWW. Sarah #4
ReplyDeleteIt's fascinating and you must feel a connection to those artists who've done the same thing for hundreds of years! I didn't realise the process was quite so involved. Interesting about the masks too, I never thought you could use the bags to make them!
ReplyDeleteHUgs LLJ. 4 xxx
What I want to know is what rocks and where do you get them, looks like fun, but knowing me, after the first couple of plays, I would just have a drawer full of rocks and move on to something new.
ReplyDeleteWell done for keeping it going.
Bless you and keep sane
Chris #11
Hi Sandra. Goodness - your home made water colours must smell absolutely amazing!!! Thanks for the tutorial - don't think I will be trying it as I have enough paints etc., to last me a life time - but interesting none the less.
ReplyDeleteTake care. Stay safe. God bless.
Margaret #8
Morning Sandra
ReplyDeleteI heard on the news that things are improving for you in Australia, I do hope that's the case. I think of you often when I'm drinking my Yorkshire tea, although on PG now as we can't be choosy, have to have whatever we can get now.
Thank you for the tutorial on paint making. I might give this a try.
Stay safe and enjoy your painty week.
Hugs Lisax #19
thanks for showing us how you make them - you must be very patient as there are lots of steps. Looks amazing. Take care and Keep safe . soojay#21
ReplyDeletePlease don't apologise for the length of post...I've really enjoyed seeing how you make your paints.
ReplyDeleteI feel so blessed for my crafts and this wonderful group we belong to...we have so much to thank Julia for don't we?
Stay safe and keep busy my friend.
Hugs,
Annie x #6
Hi Sandra, great post, very interesting and informative. Great ideas for painters. Stay safe and have a good week,Hugs, Shaz #7 X
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely fascinating post - there is so much to it, and it must be a strange feeling knowing you are following in the footsteps of generations of people before us. I think using the hoover bags is a brilliant idea - I just hope no-one starts stock piling them!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a good week and stay safe and well,
Hugs, Diana x #13
Well how fascinating. I would definitely get bored with the preparation - the filtering process for sure....but the mulling...now that just looks like a fab job to me. And such wonderful colours! I like the silvery goody palette too...will they add a wash over existing colours or are they for stand alone use? Either way, they re gorgeous. Do you know the work of Kate Lycett ? She adds a bit of gold by paint or stitch to her work and it makes me breathless!
ReplyDeleteThat really is fascinating - I wouldnt have the patience for it, but I admire you for doing it. The colours you have made are fantastic. Happy WOYWW. Take care and stay well, With love & God Bless, Caro x (#17)
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't have the patience either (such a fascinating post though) but if you can make your own masks you may suddenly become very popular! have a great week. stay safe. Helen #3
ReplyDeleteI could watch that mull all day long, I can visualise all those colours appear before my eyes as it's pummelled & pounded. Your right about the masks my hubby used to be a plasterer you need a good grade mask working with particles. We often wonder if his previous job was the cause of his poor lung function it's very important to have the right equipment just don't take the risk.
ReplyDeleteThat colour palette is fab btw.. Happy WoywW Tracey #25 take care x
Looks like you're still having fun making those paints, what fun. Loving the doodles too. Take care and have a lovely woyww and a happy creative week, Angela x18x
ReplyDeleteI find your paint manufacturing process utterly fascinating, Sandra. I've never heard of anyone else doing this apart from old masters like Vermeer. The satisfaction you must get from this... it is not something I would ever bother to do - like Pergamano - but like Pergamano, I could watch it for hours and soooo enjoy the results! I love the tools of your trade as well. I've never seen a muller before and it's so attractive, as is your little mortar and pestle. Keep it up! I love seeing what glorious colours you are drawing from the earth itself!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit and your amusing comment! I'm sure everyone at your hubby's meetings is glad not to have a view up his nose hahaha!! Re the Kindles - I can't think why later models have to be less satisfactory than older ones. Whenever I see "new improved" I am sceptical. My favourite air freshener now smells horrible, and I noticed on the tin it says "new improved scent." With my ME I am rather sensitive to chemical-type smells and this new one is horrible!! If it ain't broke, don't fix it, is what I say. Glad you like my latest Celtic knots!
Stay safe and well, and keep laughing!
Happy belated WOYWW,
Shoshi #26
mmmm looks like lovely, smooth, melted chocolate. I think I have been eating too much of it over the last few weeks!! xx Jo
ReplyDeleteThis is fascinating Sandra, and must be so satisfying when you use the paint you have made. Thanks for the info on the masks you are using and the fact that households could possibly make them - unfortunately we have a bagless cleaner.
ReplyDeleteKeep going with the production and I look forward to seeing you using what you make.
Stay safe and well
Hugs, Neet 2 xx
ooh this looks really interesting and yes I was toying with the idea of vacuum bags to make mask filters but doubt I will get round to it!
ReplyDeletekyla
Very late.. bad, .. such bad blogger.
ReplyDeleteOnly made to half am supposed to.. I never have enough time. My Finetec look like yours... they're sooooo yummy.
Fascinating paint development... is last image mulling last stage.. do you let it dry again?? Or just grab it off board? or off bit upon where it is mulled?
Fascinating.
Just what aborigines did, wonder what binder they used.. that would be interesting to know!
Their rock art stood the test of time!
Hugs and prayers dear Sandra God bless keep you safe. Shaz.x