As an artist, I’ve always been on the lookout for new ways to connect more deeply with the materials I use. While I love experimenting with different mediums, something always felt missing—a true connection to nature, to the very essence of the materials I was working with. That’s when I stumbled upon Natural Ink Making, and my creative journey took an unexpected, yet transformative turn.
Before I started, I had no idea just how powerful it would be to create something as simple as ink from plants. I thought it was just about crafting a new art supply—but what I discovered was that it was so much more. It became a new way to engage with nature, a deeper layer to my art, and an entirely new creative outlet.
Here’s how Natural Ink Making opened up a whole new world for me and transformed the way I think about both my artwork and my relationship with the earth.
The Spark: A Desire for Something Different
For years, I had been working with traditional art supplies—store-bought paints, markers, and ink that I would pick up from my local art store. They were reliable, but they didn’t inspire me. I wanted something more organic, something that felt like an extension of my own creativity.
I had heard whispers about people creating their own ink from plants and natural materials, but it sounded so far-fetched to me at the time. How could something as basic as ink, which I had always bought ready-made, be made from scratch? I thought it might be a complicated process, or maybe the ink wouldn’t live up to my expectations. But I was curious.
When I found out about Natural Ink Making, I decided to give it a try. I didn’t just want to learn to make ink—I wanted to reconnect with nature in a way that felt both practical and creative.
The Journey: From Plants to Pigments
The moment I signed up for the course, everything shifted. What I thought would be a simple lesson on creating ink turned out to be an eye-opening experience that made me see nature through a completely different lens.
Our first lesson involved gathering plants, flowers, and berries—all things I’d seen every day, yet never thought twice about. I was amazed at how many plants I could use to create vibrant, beautiful pigments. We picked bright marigolds, delicate lavender, wild berries, and even found color in the leaves and bark around us. Each plant had its own unique hue, its own character, and its own story to tell. I felt like an explorer—discovering the rich colors of the earth that were hiding right under my nose.
The process of extracting pigments from plants was both fascinating and calming. We learned how to carefully grind, soak, and boil the plant materials to release their natural colors. It was a process that allowed me to slow down and engage fully with my surroundings. There was something incredibly satisfying about creating something beautiful and useful from raw, organic materials. And each ink we made became a tangible connection to the environment, each color holding a small piece of the earth’s story.
The Ink: Alive with Color and Character
The moment we finally mixed our pigments with water and binders to create ink, I was hooked. The inks that we made were vibrant, alive with character, and full of subtle variations. Each ink had its own texture and depth, depending on the plant it came from. There was a richness and complexity that store-bought ink simply couldn’t match.
What struck me most was the unpredictability of the process. No two batches of ink were exactly the same. One batch might have a rich, earthy green from the leaves I gathered; another might be a soft purple from the wild lilacs we’d foraged. Every time I dipped my brush into one of the inks, it felt like I was creating a one-of-a-kind piece of art. There was no formula for perfection—each stroke of the brush was a reflection of the plant, the season, and the journey I had taken to create it.
The best part? The inks had a unique texture and flow that made my artwork feel more alive. I could experiment with how the ink moved across the page, playing with the brushstrokes and blending colors in ways I’d never done before. The inks felt like a perfect marriage of nature and creativity—an extension of my personal artistic vision, but with the added beauty of nature’s unpredictability.
The New Creative Outlet: A Deeper Connection to My Art
Since beginning the Natural Ink Making course, my art has undergone a transformation. It’s no longer just about putting brush to paper—it’s about the entire process, from gathering the plants to creating the ink, to finally using it in my artwork. Each step is filled with intention and mindfulness, and I feel a stronger connection to my materials than I ever did before.
What started as a way to make my art more sustainable has turned into a new, deeply rewarding creative outlet. Making ink from plants has given me a fresh perspective on creativity. It’s no longer just about creating something “perfect.” It’s about embracing the organic, ever-changing nature of the materials I’m working with and letting that inform my artwork. It’s opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me as an artist.
Creating my own ink has also made me more mindful of the natural world around me. I now see colors in places I never would have noticed before. When I’m out walking, I’m constantly scanning my surroundings for plants that might be good for making new inks. Nature has become a much more vibrant part of my daily life.
Why Natural Ink Making Is for You
If you’re looking for a new creative outlet, I highly recommend exploring natural ink-making. It’s not just about learning to make your own ink—it’s about rethinking the way you interact with the materials you use in your art. It’s about reconnecting with nature, embracing sustainability, and opening yourself up to new forms of expression.
Since I began making my own ink, my work has become more personal, more intentional, and more connected to the earth. The inks I create are not only beautiful—they tell a story. They are a product of the earth, a reflection of my journey with nature, and a true expression of my creative spirit.
If you’ve ever felt the desire to take your art to a new level, or simply want to explore a new creative practice, I can’t recommend Natural Ink Making enough. The world of plant-based inks is full of color, texture, and possibility—waiting for you to discover it, one brushstroke at a time.