Artists, Pigments, Design, and Emotion January 26, 2026

Artists, Pigments, Design, and Emotion

Ended

Required Book:

“The Secret Lives of Color”; Kassia St. Clair; Penguin; ISBN 978-0143131144

(All Books Can be purchased at Brewster Book Store)

Suggested Books:

  1. “Color: A Natural History of the Palette”; Victoria Finlay; Vintage/Random House; ISBN 978-0812971422
  2. “Interaction of Color: 50th Anniversary Edition”; Josef Albers; Yale University Press; ISBN 978-0300179354
  3. “The Secret Language of Color: Science, Nature, History, Culture, Beauty of Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, & Violet”; Joann Eckstut & Arielle Eckstut; Black Dog & Leventhal; ISBN 978-1579129491
  4. The Original Painters Color Diary: Travel, 6”x8”; HG Art Concepts
  5. Artist’s Color Swatch Book: 7.5”x5”; Tumuarta

Recommended Supplies:

Highly Recommended:

  1. Journal with watercolor paper (cold press)
  2. Soft pencil (HB, H, or #2)
  3. Pencil sharpener
  4. Technical drawing pen
  5. Refillable brush pen
  6. Colored pencils (watercolor pencils work well)
  7. Watercolor set (Art Toolkit)

Optional:

  1. Clipboard or hard surface (if journal is softcover)
  2. Backpack or shoulder bag
  3. Binder clips
  4. Small ruler
  5. Small mixing palette
  6. Small sponge
  7. Small rag
  8. Small water bottle
  9. Small water spray bottle
  10. Small syringe (no needle)
  11. White gel pen
  12. Color wheel

January 26, 2026 – 10:00 - 12:00 am – Artists, Pigments, Design, and Emotion – Brewster Book Store

Description: Color carries history, craft, and emotion. In this workshop session, participants explore how artists across time have discovered, created, and used pigments and how those color choices shape emotional response, storytelling, and design. Created for learners interested in watercolor and nature journaling, this session connects the past to present-day creative practice in an accessible, hands-on way.

We’ll begin with a brief historical journey through pigments: how artists once sourced color from minerals, plants, and insects, how trade and technology expanded palettes, and how watercolor pigments evolved into the materials we use today. Participants will learn why some colors were rare or symbolic, how limitations shaped artistic styles, and how pigment properties—transparency, granulation, staining—affect expression.

The session then turns to color and emotion. Through guided discussion and visual examples, we’ll explore how colors influence mood, perception, and meaning, and how artists and designers intentionally use color to evoke calm, energy, tension, or harmony. Participants will reflect on their own emotional responses to color and how those responses can inform nature journaling and watercolor work.

No prior art or history background is required. This session encourages curiosity, experimentation, and personal reflection. Participants leave with a deeper appreciation of color as a bridge between science, history, emotion, and creative expression—enriching the way they see, paint, and journal the natural world.

Topics Covered:

  1. Create watercolor pigment swatches to explore transparency, texture, and intensity
  2. Experiment with limited palettes inspired by historical color use
  3. Mix and match colors found in nature, noticing how emotional tone shifts with color choices
  4. Apply color intentionally to a small nature sketch or journal spread