Local icon painter Marek Czarnecki will lecture on the historical use of colors from the earliest works of art to the contemporary manufacturing of synthetic pigments. What are the characteristics of a pigment? Which materials make durable colors? What are the local and international sources for colors? Can we still use locally sourced materials to make our own paint?

Also includes demonstration of how to make pigment from local Connecticut brownstone, as well other natural sources. Pigments from specialized manufacturers can also be added to a variety of mediums (oils, egg tempera, watercolor, wax) to make your own paint.