As an artist, I’m always looking for ways to bring more authenticity into my work. Over the years, I’ve experimented with various mediums, but I’ve never felt truly connected to the materials I used. Most of the art supplies we buy today are mass-produced and often filled with chemicals that don’t align with my values or my desire for sustainability. So, when I came across Natural Ink Making, I felt like I had stumbled upon a hidden treasure.
This blog is my journey of rediscovering an ancient craft—making ink from plants—and how it has transformed my art and connection to the natural world.
The Spark of Curiosity
It all started when I came across an article about natural inks in an old art magazine. The idea of creating my own ink from flowers, berries, and even tree bark fascinated me. I was struck by the thought that this practice had been around for centuries, used by scholars and artists long before the first mass-produced ink bottles hit the shelves. It felt like there was something sacred about making ink from nature itself, something that connected me to a long line of creators who came before me.
So, I signed up for a course with Natural Ink Making, eager to learn the art of crafting my own inks. Little did I know, this would not only change the way I created art but also the way I viewed the world around me.
The Process: From Plant to Pigment
When I first arrived for the course, I had no idea what to expect. I had no experience in making my own art supplies, let alone using plant-based ingredients to create something as essential as ink. But the instructors at Natural Ink Making were patient and passionate about sharing their knowledge. The process, they explained, is simple but deeply rooted in tradition.
We started by learning how to identify plants with rich pigments. We harvested everything from vibrant flowers to dark berries and even tree leaves. I was amazed by the wide range of colors that could be drawn from what seemed like humble, everyday plants. I never knew that a few handfuls of wildflowers could produce a deep purple ink or that oak galls could yield a rich, earthy brown.
After gathering our plant materials, we learned how to extract their pigments using gentle, natural methods. The whole process felt meditative. There was something incredibly grounding about working with my hands to transform these humble plants into something both beautiful and functional. It felt like a kind of alchemy—creating life and color from the earth itself.
The final step was mixing the pigments with other natural ingredients, such as gum arabic, to bind the ink and create the perfect consistency. Each ink I made felt like a little piece of nature captured in a bottle, ready to be used in my art.
The Transformation: A New Artistic Connection
What truly surprised me was the difference in the way I approached my artwork after making my own inks. The first time I used one of the inks I had created, I was taken aback by the depth of color and texture it produced. It was unlike anything I had ever used before—rich, earthy, and alive with the essence of the plant it came from. The process of creating the ink, from gathering the plants to mixing the colors, added a new layer of meaning to every brushstroke.
But the benefits went beyond just the ink itself. There was something incredibly meditative and satisfying about the whole process. As I worked with nature to craft my inks, I felt a deeper connection to the earth, my materials, and my own creative flow. I no longer felt like I was just a person using products off the shelf—I was now part of a larger, ancient tradition of creators who worked with the earth to make something beautiful.
Using plant-based inks in my art also made me more mindful of my environmental impact. I began to realize that art doesn’t have to come at the cost of the planet. In fact, creating something from nature that will eventually return to the earth is a way of creating art that feels more in tune with the environment.
A New Perspective on Creativity
Since taking the course with Natural Ink Making, my artwork has changed in ways I didn’t expect. It’s not just about the final product anymore—it’s about the entire process. The act of making the ink, the decision to choose specific plants based on their colors and symbolism, and the connection I feel to the natural world while I work have all added new layers to my creative practice.
I now see every material I use in my art as a potential connection to the earth. Instead of just reaching for whatever is in front of me, I’m now more intentional about where my materials come from and how they impact the world around me.
In a world that is increasingly driven by mass production and consumerism, rediscovering the ancient craft of making ink from plants has reminded me of the power of working with nature. It’s a practice that’s not only sustainable but also deeply personal. It has brought me closer to my art, to history, and to the natural world.
A Journey Worth Taking
If you’re someone who values sustainability, creativity, and a deeper connection to the materials you work with, I can’t recommend Natural Ink Making enough. It’s a journey worth taking—a journey that reconnects you with the past, brings you closer to the earth, and transforms the way you create art. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that nature has an abundance of beauty and inspiration waiting to be discovered. And sometimes, the best way to find it is to look a little closer—to the ink you use, and the hands that create with it.