BOUGAINVILLEA BRACTS AS AN ALTERNATIVE SOFT - MOIST WATERCOLOR PIGMENT

Abstract

Watercolor painting has emerged as a fundamental medium and a starting point for aspiring artists. However, many budding artists face financial constraints that limit their exploration of this art form. High-quality watercolor paints often come with a high cost, making them inaccessible to many. The concept of utilizing pigment extracted from Bougainvillea bracts as a watercolor painting medium presents a potential breakthrough for artists seeking a more affordable alternative. This experimental study is supported by various related studies, literature, and evidence, reinforcing its validity and potential impact. An experimental research design, classified under qualitative research, was employed in this study. The experimental process consisted of three (3) main stages: the extraction of Bougainvillea pigment, the preparation of the watercolor binder mixture, and the formulation of the Bougainvillea watercolor mixture. The extracted pigment (juice) from the Bougainvillea bracts was finely filtered to remove particles, resulting in a soft-moist, smooth, clean, and mold-free product. Through a process of trial and error, Bougainvillea bracts were successfully developed as an alternative soft-moist watercolor pigment. Three trial tests were conducted to evaluate the quality of the watercolor in terms of swatching, blending, and layering, both independently and in comparison with commercially available watercolor brands. The results demonstrated that the Bougainvillea bract watercolor could be placed at a comparable level to established watercolor brands. The findings confirmed that watercolor made from Bougainvillea bracts can effectively function as a watercolor pigment. This experimental study demonstrated that Bougainvillea bracts can be used as an alternative pigment for soft-moist watercolor paint, offering aspiring artists a low-cost medium with desirable quality. Additionally, Bougainvillea watercolor pigment is derived from natural materials, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic paints available in the market.