Making my own Watercolor Paints

My project examines the history and processes of paint-making, partially focusing on watercolor paints. It gives an overview of the evolution of different paint-making processes and discusses the differences between several cultures’ methods throughout history. It also explores the different materials used to create pigments and dyes and how those materials have or haven’t changed over time. I then use this research to create my own watercolor paint palette using natural pigments and paint a handful of paintings to test them out. I document how I make my paint palette to show others how they can create their own and what the potential results are. I seek to broaden my knowledge and my audience’s knowledge about these practices in order to gain more of an appreciation for the process of creating art, not just the finished product. My target audience is those interested in history or art history and painters (specifically watercolor painters).