Inks & Pigment Painting

Natural dyeing is a multifaceted, interconnected field of making and exploration. There are many ways to recycle materials, water, and more when natural dyeing. One method that saves water and material is the process of creating pigments using recycled water from a natural dye bath pot. Once you’re done dyeing, save the water to make something new out of it, and continue to utilize the color that is still available for future making! There are several recipes and steps for creating handmade paint pigments and ink, however, after some practice calculating and working with the additive salts, it can be a fun, easy way to reuse and preserve natural color. Calcium carbonate (chalk) is used to help separate the water in the dye from the actual pigment, which then settles to the bottom and is strained in order for it to dry. At this point the pigment is a ‘cake’, which can be ground down into a finer powder. That powder can then be mixed with other additives or mediums for painting such as gum arabic or honey. Vinegar and other additives can also be utilized when added to a natural dye bath for a faster, more immediate way to paint. Happy experimenting!