Day 1 – Quinta das Relvas

Exploring Natural Pigments at Quinta das Relvas: A Day of Sustainable Harvesting and Experimentation

Visiting Quinta das, Relvas was an immersive experience in understanding the land and its natural resources, mainly focusing on collecting and testing colour pigments. This day was about gathering materials, exploring sustainable practices, and deepening our connection with the environment. The session underscored the importance of local sourcing, ethical harvesting, and experimental approaches to natural pigments.

The Land and Its Offerings

Quinta das Relvas, nestled within a diverse landscape, offers a rich array of natural materials perfect for pigment extraction. The goal of our visit was twofold: to help participants recognize the land’s potential and to refine observational skills essential for sustainable harvesting. Walking the grounds, we paid close attention to the environment, noting the boundaries between cultivated and wild areas and observing the variety of flora, fauna, and soil types. These observations guided our choices and informed how we approached each plant and material, balancing our needs with respect for the ecosystem.

Sustainable Harvesting Principles

Our approach to harvesting was heavily inspired by principles that emphasize reciprocity with nature, as articulated by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Before collecting any material, we reminded ourselves to:

• Understand the relationships with the plants and animals that sustain us.
• Harvest mindfully, never taking the first or last of any resource and always leaving enough for others.
• Minimize harm during collection and use what is gathered respectfully and purposefully.
• Acknowledge the environmental impact of any non-local resources we might use, like Arabic gum, which, although effective as a binder, comes from Ethiopia and involves significant resource expenditure.

These guidelines helped frame our day’s activities, highlighting the need to be accountable land stewards.

Experimenting with Natural Pigments

Once the materials were collected, we moved to the practical aspect of extracting pigments. We explored several methods, each affecting the resulting colour and texture differently:

1. Salt as a Fixative: Given the location’s proximity to salt-extracting bays, we used local sea salt in our pigment-making. Salt is an excellent fixative, stabilizing colours and ensuring they remain vibrant over time. However, different salts can have varying effects; for instance, purified salts might alter the pigment, and mineral salts could introduce unexpected changes due to their unique compositions.
2. Sugar in Pigment Extraction: Drawing parallels from how sugar preserves jams, we used sugar to stabilize pigments extracted from fruits like blueberries. The quantity of sugar directly impacted the consistency of the pigment, offering versatility in how the pigment could be used artistically—from thin washes to thick, expressive inks.
3. Vinegar for Preservation: White vinegar, a common preservative, was another ingredient we tested. Its high acidity helps preserve pigments but can also alter their colour. For example, foxglove pigments mixed with lemon and vinegar produced interesting results, with the acidity intensifying the colours when used in higher concentrations.
4. Arabic Gum as a Binder: Arabic gum, despite not being a local material, was used for its binding properties, enhancing the adhesion of pigments on paper and cloth. Its water solubility makes it easy to incorporate, though its environmental footprint and cost raise questions about long-term sustainability.

Exploring Fabrics and Pigment Receptivity

Not all fabrics respond equally to natural pigments. We experimented with different types, including old cotton sheets, linen, and hemp. If washed repeatedly, the cotton sheets lacked starch and readily absorbed pigments, making them an excellent canvas. In contrast, linen and hemp proved more resistant to colour adherence, often unpredictably altering the pigment’s appearance. This experimentation underscored the importance of choosing the suitable fabric for the intended artistic outcome.

Reflections on the Day’s Learnings

The session at Quinta das Relvas was a valuable reminder of the complex interplay between our creative intentions and the ecological context of our materials. It reinforced the necessity of working sustainably, mindful of the environmental and social costs associated with our choices. By using locally available resources, respecting the natural cycles of growth, and understanding the material properties of what we harvest, we can develop a deeper, more sustainable approach to art-making.

The day ended with a collective reflection on our experiments, recognizing that every step—from the harvesting methods to the choice of fixatives and binders—plays a crucial role in the final result. Each pigment tells a story shaped by the land, the seasons, and our mindful engagement with the natural world.