Bring the landscape to life through colour
The LAND COLOUR workbook is a downloadable guide that teaches you how to extract vibrant, natural hues from the world around you. Whether you're walking the coast, exploring woodland, or working from your kitchen table, this book shows you how to turn what you find—berries, bark, stones, rust—into lasting colour.
A natural pigment and ink-making workbook for artists and creatives
This beautifully crafted PDF workbook on natural pigment and ink-making offers a hands-on introduction to the art of creating natural colour. Designed for artists, makers, educators, and curious wanderers, it guides you through the process of extracting rich, natural pigments and earth-based hues from the land—whether you’re foraging along the coast, digging in the hills, or working from a city windowsill.
Inside, you’ll find clear, practical instructions alongside grounded approaches to working with plant, mineral, and metal-based materials. Learn how to transform berries, bark, flowers, charcoal, and rust into vibrant inks, pigments and handmade paint.
What you’ll learn in this natural pigment and ink-making guide
A tool and material list using items you likely already have
Step-by-step methods for ink and pigment extraction, boiling, and grinding
Recipes for botanical inks and DIY lake pigments
Techniques for working with earth pigments, minerals, and charcoal
How to shift colour through pH and metal oxide modifiers
Instructions for turning natural ink into dry pigment through the lake pigment extraction method
Binder options for making long-lasting handmade paints
Safety guidance for working with natural and chemical materials in pigment-making
Every page is designed to support experimentation, slow process, and a deeper connection with the land. These recipes are adaptable to your environment and open-ended by nature—encouraging you to observe, take notes, and let the material guide the outcome.
Delivered as a downloadable PDF, this workbook is your companion for working in the wild or at your kitchen table. Whether you’re new to natural pigment-making or returning to an old love, LAND COLOUR invites you to begin a journey of exploration with the abundant colour to be found in nature.
Why LAND COLOUR?
More than a how-to, it’s a way of engaging with the natural landscape surrounding you.
This workbook invites you to slow down, to experiment, and to work in rhythm with the land. Natural colour is alive—it shifts with the seasons, responds to your hands, and reflects the geology and stories of place.
Whether you're a painter, teacher, forager, or simply curious, LAND COLOUR offers a grounded, joyful way to begin.
Want to take a look inside?
Download a free preview of the LAND COLOUR workbook
Get a feel for the tone, layout, and approach before you dive in. The preview includes a sample recipe, a look at the tools and materials list, and a taste of the gentle, practical guidance you’ll find throughout.
Perfect if you're curious about working with natural colour — or just want to see if this book fits your practice.
(No strings attached — yours to keep and explore)
What others are saying?
“A beautiful and deeply practical book. So much time and energy has gone into refining the knowledge laid out on these pages.”
- Lindsay, Galway
“LAND COLOUR gave me the confidence to start gathering and making with what’s right outside my door. The instructions are beautifully clear and allowed me to get started right away”
- Alice, Tasmania
“Kari sent me her book when I couldn’t make one of her workshops. It was the perfect guide to get me started into what has now become a bit of an obsession. The book outlined everything I needed to know to begin my exploration into natural pigment, even though I live on the other side of the world.”
- Sharon, Chicago
“I’ve tried natural inks before but always felt unsure — this workbook laid everything out in a way that made sense to me - not too much fluff, just straightforward guidance and explanations. From modifiers to binders to pigment grinding, each step is practical, accessible, and beautifully presented. I can’t wait to attend an in-person workshop!”
- Mags, Limerick
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any special materials or equipment?
Where possible, I promote using tools and materials you already have at home or in your kitchen. Some specialised tools—like a pestle and mortar, a glass slab, and a muller—can help deepen your pigment practice, but you absolutely don’t need them to get started. If you’d like a detailed list of tools and materials, you can download the FREE PREVIEW above.
Is this suitable for beginners?
Absolutely. I’ve taught this workshop to hundreds of people, many of whom were complete beginners. The workbook is designed to be accessible and easy to follow, with plenty of space to absorb the core techniques. My goal is to get as many people as possible making colour in relationship with the land.
Can I use this with children?
Yes, definitely. I’ve run this workshop with many children—usually aged 8 to 15—and they’ve loved it, especially the pigment mulling section. That said, I recommend reading through the workbook before working with kids so you’re familiar with the tools and materials. A gentle heads-up: the boiling method requires a heat source like a hot plate, so you’ll want to assess what’s appropriate for your group and setup.
Can I use this to teach others?
This publication is intended for personal, non-commercial use only. It may not be used as teaching material or included in classes, workshops, or educational programs without express permission.
Can I print the workbook?
Yes, absolutely! The LAND COLOUR workbook is designed as a printable PDF so you can bring it into your studio, out into the landscape, or keep it handy while you work. You're welcome to print it for personal use. Please note that the content is copyright protected, so printing for distribution or teaching purposes is not permitted without written permission.
What’s your refund policy?
Due to the digital nature of this product, all sales are final. Once the LAND COLOUR workbook has been downloaded or accessed, I am unable to offer refunds, exchanges, or cancellations.
Please be sure to read the full product description and preview the free sample before purchasing. If you experience any issues with your download or have questions about the content, feel free to get in touch — I’m happy to help: karicahill@gmail.com.
