Pigments are located in fascinating places in the natural world. We can coax them out of hiding and onto our palettes through a number of ancient innovative methods. From cave paintings to gallery walls, natural pigments have remained much the same across time, as well as the mediums used to bind them into paint. This course examines both sides of this topic in great detail, providing a deep exploration of traditional methods, philosophy and practical applications of handmade paint.


Students will gain a working knowledge of numerous sources of pigment in the natural world, alongside a variety of methods to extract and utilize the raw pigments, by combining them with diverse handmade binding media to make paints. After producing our own painting materials, the natural next step is to put them to use in a number of different painted sketches, studies & test mixtures. This course will help students cultivate a broad sense of ancient and traditional methods of pigment and paint production, and by extension, a deep appreciation for a universal cultural connection through pigment.

Learning Objectives

• Understanding the basic constituents of handmade paint


• Traditional alchemical pigments & processes


• Painting on traditional surfaces


• Practical experience in producing and using handmade paint


• Knowledge and experience with numerous traditional binding mediums


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Date: Sunday, April 12, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Lunch will be provided.
Ages: 12+
Materials Fees: $5
Location: Viroqua, WI

Instructions: Please bring any personal brushes, palettes, or other painting materials if you have them.

Sliding Scale Course Fee Guidelines (not including Materials Fees)

Supporter Level Ticket: $125
If you move through the world with financial ease and the means to fulfill many of your wants as well as your needs – you are able to eat out when you want, abundantly meet your needs through employment or can comfortably not work, have access to family wealth, own property, etc. – consider paying at this level, which will help us ensure the long term sustainability of our programs while keeping our offerings accessible to those with access to fewer resources.

Sustainer Level Ticket: $100
If you are able to meet your needs with relative ease while budgeting your educational and entertainment spending – for instance, you are able to take classes and eat out occasionally as long as you are mindful – consider paying at this level, which will help sustain the work of the Folk School at a modest level.

Supported Level Ticket: $75
If you struggle to fund your basic needs and have limited access to resources in your family and community, or if you would not be able to access this offering without a discounted payment option, consider paying at this level. We value your presence and contributions to our community and do not want any economic circumstances to be a barrier to attendance!

Instructor Bio — David Heskin

A lifelong artist, David Heskin began oil painting in 1995. After 15 years of self-guided practice, he sought out training in a wide variety of traditional painting techniques. Through extensive study and research into numerous artistic lineages, his original artwork and teaching have become integrated expressions of a broad creative fusion.

David’s art defies categorization, as he has produced extensive bodies of work in a variety of styles and mediums, including oil and egg tempera painting, mischtechnik painting and carving in stone and wood. Combining tradition and innovation, his driving aspiration is to create artifacts and visual experiences that are otherwise unavailable to the human eye, and that speak to the journey of the soul.

David earned his Master’s Degree in Traditional Arts from The King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts in 2020, with an emphasis on handcrafted, geometric works in diverse mediums. In a long-term collaboration with his wife, artist Aloria Weaver, he develops and teaches international, technique-driven painting courses. His work has been exhibited in museums, galleries, cultural centers and theaters, and is held in private collections throughout North America, Europe and beyond.