Found and Ground: A Practical Guide to Making Your Own Foraged Paints

by Caroline Ross

Everything you need to learn how to make your own natural watercolor paints, oak gall ink and the brushes and pens to use them with. You’ll find out how to forage for the materials you need in your locale and grasp the principles of simple, natural paint-making.

Natural’, ‘no waste’ and ‘plastic-free’. If this is how you want to live your creative life, you will find a greener, more natural path with this book. It details a more sustainable and fulfilling approach to painting. Covering every aspect of making natural paints, from finding raw materials to the techniques needed to refine it, this book is suitable for the complete beginner as well as those with some experience in art. Found and Ground will also appeal to those with plenty of experience drawing and painting, but who until now have only used shop-bought materials to make their work.

Found and Ground is the ideal reference book for artists and crafters wishing to moves away from plastics, such as those found in acrylic paints, as the natural paints can be used in their place. The book covers how to make a series of simple natural paints such as watercolor, gouache, tempera, and glair. It also includes innovative vegan ‘egg paint’ alternatives.

Aimed at a general readership, all specialist art terminology is clearly and simply explained, and all the techniques demonstrated through step-by-step instructions. The book will also give fresh ideas to those stuck in a rut with their use of watercolors, and introduce readers to try new 'old ideas'. Most importantly, it will teach readers how to forage and gather successfully and safely.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Nature, Crafts

128 pages, Paperback

First published June 19, 2023

Reviews

[Juli Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful and useful, though it should be noted that this artist/author is UK-based, so the specific pigments mentioned here are not necessarily to be found in the US.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book, I want to give it 5 stars but the crux of the 4 star review is that there is no clear resource guide that I can find in this book. Some resources are scattered through out and embedded in the text so they are hard to find and reference again. Early on in the book (page 14) there is a text box entitled "Sourcing" which points you to pages 93-95, with a teaser saying "When you want to supplement your palette (see pages 93-95) there is an abundance of naturally sourced pigment and paint available online". But when you flip to 93-95 the only resource which is embedded in the text is Bookmarked (www.bookmarkedhub.com), which is a source for books. The author says to "search for this book by title or ISBN: the files can be found under 'Book Extras'." These directions have turned up nothing for me in terms of suppliers of naturally sourced pigment ad paints. It has all left me a bit confused and very hungry for a simple list of resources. UPDATE: I did a search about "book extras and bookmarkedhub" and found that you have to be a member to look at the Book Extras, which I did (it's free) and so am now checking that out. It seems like this Book Extra would be so helpful just to include in the book.
And the book is chalked full of so much brilliant and inspiring and yes practical ways to create art with earth materials, it is life-changing for me.

[Audrey Sauble · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an inspiring look at paints with ideas for foraging, grinding, and mixing your own watercolors, gouaches, and inks. Most of the steps seem simple, and the book focuses on practical, everyday tools, so the main trick seems to be learning where to look for pigments.

As a side note, the frequent mention of different earth colors leads me to wonder if some older countrysides (UK) might have more diverse soils than geologically younger terrains (the Pacific Northwest), which could expand to a broader geology study to learn more about local rocks and minerals. That’s more of a side project, however, for someone who wants to develop a full palette, rather than an artist dabbling in found colors.

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for those wanting to start making paint from ground rocks and a few other things like oak galls. I appreciate that she gives directions for making more than watercolors like gouache and tempera, and that she gives directions for making gum from cherry trees instead of having to buy gum arabic. A great resource that was a library read.

[Katra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, if there was ever a book that made me want to go and explore in the woods, this is it!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recipes!!!

I have looked for the basic recipes and techniques of and on, here the author shares these. Excellent starting point!