Workshops

WATERCOLOR BASICS - $180
MAKE YOUR OWN 6 PAN WATERCOLOR SET!
Using a glass muller and palette knives, learn to transform dry pigments and resins into lush highly saturated watercolor paints. Choose up to 6 pigments to work with, ranging from Historic Minerals to Modern Synthetics.

We will cover the fundamentals of pigment behavior, surfactants, synthetic, and natural binders.

Participants will receive real time feedback throughout the session, so they can continue making paint on their own. We will also cover safe disposal practices and basic toxicity classifications according to Arts and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) standards.

What you get:
• 3 hours of hands-on paint making instruction
• 6 full pans of custom watercolors
• Metal carrying case for paints
• The knowledge to safely handle, store, and dispose of raw materials
• The ability to make paint from scratch
• Greater independence in your artistic practice

What you should wear/bring:
• KN95 or N95 Masks or preferred respirator
• Paint clothes, smock, or apron
• Protective gloves
• Notebook and pen

Restrictions:
*Must be 18+ to attend. We kindly ask that all cancellations be made at least 24 hrs prior to the workshop to ensure other participants have a chance to attend.

Michael Ambron is an artist, paint maker, and educator based in NYC. For the past decade he has worked as a paint maker and raw materials specialist, sharing his deep knowledge of pigments, binders, and material behaviors with artists and creative communities through hands-on workshops, consultations, and on-site demonstrations. Michael is the founder of Paint Makers Notes LLC, a business that focuses on empowering participants to make their own paints and mediums from scratch, teaching safe handling, material science, and creative exploration of raw materials so that makers can broaden their artistic practice and achieve greater independence in their work.

In addition to his work as an educator and paint maker, Michael maintains an active studio practice. His paintings explore the materiality of paint itself, from pigment to surface, applying experimental approaches that emphasize layers, textures, and the alchemy of color. Michael brings this combined perspective as paint maker, educator, and artist to his watercolor paint-making workshops, where participants not only learn techniques but also engage with the philosophy and craft of paint itself.