Traditional Techniques for Making Paints, Pastels, and Inks with Kassandra Palmer

Concept

In this two-day workshop, learn the craft of making your own art materials from scratch. Guided step-by-step, create a variety of traditional art materials, including oil paint, egg tempera, chalk pastels, watercolor, and black walnut ink.

Experience

Kassandra guides you through each recipe from start to finish; offering demonstrations, individual support, and plenty of time for questions and open conversation. Expect to participate fully in the experience of mixing, grinding, testing, and experimenting. Alongside practical instruction, discuss best practices for health and safety, proper storage, and the long-term care of your materials. Brief historical insights illuminate how artists have used - and made - these mediums for centuries. Leave this workshop with your own handmade high-quality art materials, a deeper understanding of how they're made, and a recipe book to continue the practice at home.

Skill Level

No prior experience is necessary; curiosity and a willingness to get a little mess are all you need.

Instructor

Kassandra Palmer is a multi-media artist. Originally trained in traditional oil painting methods, her practice has grown to include elements of painting, drawing, sewing, and sculpture. Oscillating between figuration and abstraction, her work is largely symbolic and explores themes of psychology and metaphysics. Kassandra lives in Madison, WI with her husband and daughters, three cats, one dog, and a seemingly infinite amount of neighborhood turkeys. She earned her MFA from the University of Iowa and has taught at the University of Iowa, Carroll University, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and University of Wisconsin-Madison.