Have you ever found yourself mixing colours, only to realise that you just can't get the shade you need, no matter how hard you try? Or maybe you once managed to get it right, but can't seem to replicate the result?

Did you know that you can make your own paint colours?

Since prehistoric times, our ancestors have sourced pigments from nature and used them for painting. This practice continued into antiquity, with some of our most famous artists creating their own colours.

A good example is the inspiration drawn from Yves Klein and his Klein blue for our own Hartem shop.

It may not seem like it these days, but it's still quite common and very useful if you need that particular shade.

cómo hacer colores

What do I need to know before I start making my own paint

First, decide on the type of paint you want to use: oil-based, acrylic, gouache, tempera or watercolour.
Then choose the necessary materials: pigments, binders and additives.
Familiarise yourself with the tools, solvents and cleaning products required for working with these products..

The mixing process is the same for all types of paint; it is the ingredients that vary:

Select the pure pigment colour and place it on a flat surface, usually a palette or some small wells.
Add the binder required for the type of paint you wish to create and mix everything thoroughly.
Add any additives of your choice.
Proceed to grind it with a glass grinding wheel to dissolve all lumps and sediment until you obtain a paste with the desired consistency and perfectly homogeneous texture.