Limited Masterclass · Irfan Qureshi, De Mairo Studio
Gemstone Paint
Making Masterclass
From Raw Stone to Living Colour
Discover the rare and beautiful art of making your own paints from genuine gemstones. Grind, mull, and mix Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Red Jasper, and Yellow Jasper into handmade watercolours, then create your own finished artwork with the colours you made.
Small class size — this one will sell out fast
A lost tradition, brought back to life
Colour that comes from stone, not a tube.
For centuries, artists used minerals such as Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Red Jasper, and Yellow Jasper to create some of the most treasured colours in art history. These were not ordinary paints. They were colours made slowly, by hand, with patience, skill, and deep respect for the material.
In this workshop, De Mairo Studio brings that tradition back to life. You will learn how to prepare, grind, mull, and mix genuine gemstone pigments into handmade watercolour paints, feeling the texture of the pigment and watching the colour open under the muller.
This is more than a painting class. It is an experience of history, nature, and creativity — a chance to connect with colour from its very source.
The gemstones you'll work with
Four stones. Four legendary colours.
Lapis Lazuli
A legendary blue stone, once treasured as one of the most precious pigments in the world.
Malachite
A natural green copper mineral known for its rich, earthy colour.
Red Jasper
A warm mineral pigment with natural red tones.
Yellow Jasper
A golden earth-toned gemstone pigment with soft natural warmth.
What you'll experience
From history lesson to finished artwork.
You'll begin with an introduction to natural mineral pigments and their place in art history, including the use of precious blue pigments by Renaissance artists such as Fra Angelico and Michelangelo. From there, you'll move into the hands-on process: combining gemstone pigment with gum arabic binder, mulling the paint properly, adjusting consistency, and creating different shades by mixing and layering your colours. Finally, you'll test your paints on watercolour paper and create your own artwork using the colours you made.
Duration
3–4 hours
Skill Level
Beginner–Pro
Group Size
Small & Intimate
Format
Single Session
Included in the Workshop
- All genuine gemstone pigments
- Gum arabic watercolour binder
- Glass muller and paint-making tools
- Watercolour paper
- Brushes and mixing materials
- Paint pans and containers
- Refreshments
- Guided instruction by De Mairo Studio artists
What You Take Home
- Your own handmade gemstone watercolour paints
- A finished artwork created with your paints
- A deeper understanding of natural pigments
- A memorable connection to historical colour-making
- The experience of making paint from real stones, by hand
Who this is for
Welcoming, no matter where you start.
Professional artists curious about historical pigments
Watercolour lovers wanting deeper, richer colour
Collectors of rare materials and natural curiosities
Complete beginners — everything is explained step by step
Your Instructor
Irfan Qureshi
De Mairo Studio
Irfan guides participants through the historical art of gemstone pigment-making, drawing on De Mairo Studio's deep knowledge of how natural minerals are transformed into rich, luminous artist colour.
Expect patient, hands-on instruction rooted in centuries-old technique, with every step explained so the process feels approachable, never intimidating.
Make colour from the earth itself.
One afternoon. Four legendary gemstones. A finished piece made with paint you mixed by hand. Class size is kept small — once it's full, it's full.
Reserve Your Spot NowQuestions? Reach out at [email protected]