Lost in Colours

Handmade Natural pigments, watercolor paints, plant dyes & inks

DIY Watercolor and Gouache Paints with Cornstarch

10th October 2023

Explore the art of crafting watercolor paints with readily available kitchen staples. Introduction Watercolor painting is a beautiful and expressive type of art that captures your imagination. However, high-quality artist-grade watercolor paints can be quite costly, making them an aspiration that’s challenging to attain for many, especially in regions where art supplies are scarce or economic conditions are modest. The Spark of Inspiration The inspiration for my cost-effective watercolor paint recipe was sparked by the narrative of one of my…

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For children Natural pigments, watercolor paints, plant dyes & inks

Natural ‘Crayons’ !

6th September 2023

Discover a unique and unconventional art technique: using flowers as crayons. Explore how nature’s palette can add vibrancy to your creative projects. In the realm of artistic expression, innovation often emerges from the most unexpected sources. In this article, we explore a unique and vibrant way to create art using the pigmented wonders of nature: flower petals as crayons. This delightful project is not only a feast for the eyes but also a fantastic activity for children, offering a safe…

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Natural pigments, watercolor paints, plant dyes & inks Painting & Sketching

Lake Pigments vs. Natural Dyeing

31st July 2023

In the realm of color creations, two captivating worlds stand apart: the intricate process of making lake pigments and the age-old practice of natural dyeing. While both methods embrace the wonders of natural materials, they diverge significantly in purpose, techniques, and end products. In this blog post, we delve into the intriguing differences between the lake pigment-making process and natural dyeing, shedding light on their unique characteristics and creative possibilities. The Complexity of Lake Pigment Production The process of lake…

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Handmade

A Masterclass In Botanical Colors!

16th June 2023

Thank you for taking the time to peruse my blog. I am delighted to offer you a cordial invitation to join my exclusive and engaging Masterclass Webinar titled “Botanical Dyes, Pigments, Inks, Cultivation, and Foraging.” Delve into the captivating world of botanical colours, unveiling nature’s extraordinary range of hues. Empower yourself to create sustainable botanical pigments, elevating your artistic creations. With engaging slides and insightful discussions, this seminar opens the door to remarkable possibilities in natural pigments. Experience the transformative…

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Handmade Natural Dye Garden Natural pigments, watercolor paints, plant dyes & inks

Easy Natural Dye Plants to Grow on Your Balcony

23rd May 2023

For years, my balcony has served as a sanctuary for my gardening adventures. I’ve nurtured an array of plants, from blooming flowers to aromatic herbs, vegetables and salads, creating a miniature oasis amidst the urban landscape. But it wasn’t until last year that my gardening journey took an exciting turn. I was granted a small piece of land, a patch of earth to call my own. With this newfound space, I couldn’t resist the urge to experiment with something new…

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Natural pigments, watercolor paints, plant dyes & inks

The Magical Orange Lake pigment

22nd May 2023

As a child, I was enraptured by my late grandparents and parents’ tales of the vibrant festivities they experienced during Holi, the festival of colors. They spoke fondly of the natural hues derived from Butea monosperma flowers, also known as Tesu or Palash, in my mother tongue. Cultural significance of Butea monosperma Butea monosperma, holds significant cultural, ecological, and medicinal value in India. It is associated with festivals like Holi and symbolises energy and the arrival of spring. The tree’s…

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Natural Dye Garden Natural pigments, watercolor paints, plant dyes & inks

Discover the Vibrant World of Natural Dyes: Journey of Color Exploration!

9th May 2023

After three long years, I finally had the opportunity to embark on a journey back to my motherland, Bombay, over the easter break this year. This trip held immense significance for me, not only for reconnecting with my roots but also for the chance to explore the fascinating flora that Bombay had to offer. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, as I was also running a course on how to grow an organic natural dye garden, “From Petals to…

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Hello,
I’m Jyotsna, a scientist and a watercolor artist dedicated to sustainability, currently living in the charming city of Graz, Austria. I want to extend a heartfelt welcome to Lost in Colours, where my creative pursuits are deeply rooted in an ongoing exploration to learn, gain understanding, and form a bond with the natural world that surrounds us.

If you’re looking for a way to infuse your artistic pursuits with inspiration and joy, you’ve come to the right place. Get lost in the world of colours with me and discover new ways to make a positive impact through your art!

Outstanding Course

I took Jyotsna's course on making Botanical pigments, and she is the best!

Erin Parsons

Artist

Eco-Pigment Passion

I've always loved earth pigments. ... for anyone who wants to be as green and careful as possible ... that is something that Jyotsna is passionate about

Jane Blundell

Artist

Pigment Adventures

I have done ALL of Jyotsna's courses and they are brilliant. The presentation is really nice and the content has set me off on a kind of obsessive exploration of hunting for colours in nature, making pigments and the excitment of seeing what colours will come (often unexpectedly) from a plant. If you are interested in pigment making then do those courses and then the paint making one as you will then have your own 'materials' ready. Go for it!

Alfi Spencer

Artist

Colorful Inspiration

My first introduction to the world of making my own watercolours was when I stumbled upon Jyotsna's website . And therein I was sucked into her beautiful , natural , organic and colourful world . Needless to say , I spend a lot of time going through her site and gaining from her knowledge . So when she announced an online resource I immediately signed on. It is now very helpful to have lifelong access to her online lessons in basic watercolour making from pigments . Her scientific background adds to making this resource very organised . I find her energy and happiness in doing what she does both contagious and inspiring , and this comes through in her videos. I am sure I will keep returning to her online platforms and also her course material on a very regular basis , as I continue to find and make my own way towards creating my own sustainable watercolours

Mansi Shouche

Sustainable, Comprehensive & Affordable

The courses are absolutely amazing, and I plan to sign up for all of them! The content is very comprehensive and easy to understand. Jyotsna has a PhD in chemistry and not many other people in the world would have her intimate knowledge of the dye and ink-making processes. Her passion for sustainable art making and organic farming is second to none. The price of the courses are also very affordable, and I would highly recommend this course to anyone who is interested in sustainable art practice.

Damian Talbot

Landscape Artist & Medical doctor

Transformative Journey

I just completed Jyotsna’s “Making Lake Botanicals” course and could not be happier with the content. Jyotsna’s instruction is understandable and easy to follow. I feel more confident in moving forward to making my own watercolor paints than ever before. I had a small concern about working through procedures that required using chemicals that could potentially go wrong. Her recipes are well thought out, and she goes step by step, making it easy to take notes and completely grasp the procedure, and that helped to eliminate my concern.

I was not surprised at how much I would like this course, as all of the courses and videos have been so appreciated. Of all the instruction, and instructors, I have followed, Jyotsna is, hands down, my favorite!

Sandra Wicinski

How to make watercolor paint: handmade watercolors

How to make natural pigments from foraged raw resources!

How to make Lake Pigments

DIY Watercolor and Gouache Paints with Cornstarch

Natural ‘Crayons’ !

Lake Pigments vs. Natural Dyeing

A Masterclass In Botanical Colors!

Easy Natural Dye Plants to Grow on Your Balcony

The Magical Orange Lake pigment

Discover the Vibrant World of Natural Dyes: Journey of Color Exploration!

How to grow a Natural Dye Garden

Make pigments from flowers and plants

Pigment & Paintmaking Workshops