Ochre Factory Field Trip ~ 7/4/11

       If class times were always as entertaining as mine was today, no one would ever want to leave college! Professor Fred loaded up our Treasures of Provence class and drove us (stick shift, I might add) to the nearby Ochre factory, Société des Ocres de France.  Ochre is the substance derived from the earth to make the hundreds of pretty paint pigments that we know and love.  The factory was in full operation from 1921-1963, and has since been carefully preserved.  Our lovely, English-speaking guide explained the full process of obtaining the ochre from start to finish, and even showed us the original machinery used when the factory first began.  After the pigments are formed into blocks, they are baked at 450 degrees for extended periods of time before being pulverized and packaged for sale.  The color of the natural red and yellow ochre were the most beautiful shades I’ve ever seen.  The factory has two separate spaces dedicated to each the red and yellow to keep their color as pure as possible.  I had the opportunity to swipe my finger over the yellow ochre, and I honestly believe it might possibly be the softest substance in the world.  It left an addicting silky-smooth feeling on my skin.  I even got to keep a small chunk of the red ochre that will be perfect for the quick sketches I will be making throughout the quarter.  Our 3-hour class period flew by in no time, and I can’t wait to see what Professor Fred has planned for our remaining 8 weeks!

~Peace & Cupcakes~

Walls of the ochre factory

Photos of the former factory workers when the mill first began 

"paint rocks!"

A brick of yellow ochre

The elephant is the universal symbol for Ochre 

A sticky natural resin used to form paints

We got to mix our own paint