The first of four art clubs all about colour. This week children looked at all the bright colours surrounding them and imagined a time when those colours were difficult to make. We chatted about what might have been used to create colours in ancient times and then set about making our own from natural materials on the table.

Using pestle and mortars and stones the children pounded, ground and mushed materials such as terracotta plant pots, soil, ash, soot, charcoal, chalk, rust, clay, turmeric, paprika, curry powder, beetroot, raspberries and blueberries.

Once a pigment was made we added beaten egg yolks as a binding agent and started sampling our fantastic range of paints. Beetroot looked fabulous and curry was a firm favourite as we were all starving.