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

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.

Caroline Ross uses wild and ancient materials to make artworks from small illustrations to large murals. She also teaches life drawing and shows people how to make the materials she herself uses. Having spent decades indoors in art and recording studios, Caroline spends as much as possible of her life outdoors, immersing herself in nature  as she sources her materials, and makes her work.