The Alchemy of Art: Historical Mediums from Tokyo to Studio

October 5, 2026

Chasing Colour in the Rain: Our Immersive Pigment Journey at Pigment Tokyo

Every year, my partner Perry (aka PEZ Art) and I pack our bags and head to Japan for our annual art pilgrimage. It’s our dedicated time to step outside our local Australian studios, dive deep into a completely different culture, and hunt for fresh creative inspiration. This year, Tokyo threw a massive downpour our way - but a bit of torrential rain wasn't going to stop us from exploring. In fact, it led us straight into the always mesmerising Pigment Tokyo; it was time to educate ourselves on all things pigment... well, at least the fundamentals.

If you've ever stepped inside Pigment Tokyo, you know can't deny the transformative experience of this beautiful space. The walls are lined with thousands of jars of raw, shimmering mineral powders, traditional inks, and museum-grade tools.

Unlocking the History of Colour

We signed up for their specialised workshop to lift the curtain on something we use every day: the pigments themselves. Hey, it's not an intensive, 'shave your head and speak pigment for 3 weeks' kind of experience. It's a brief afternoon course that takes you on a fascinating journey through the history of colour, tracing the origins of traditional artist mediums and how ancient minerals were first transformed into expressive art.

As a contemporary abstract painter, I am constantly exploring depth, layering, and fluid motion. Stepping back in time to see how prehistoric and traditional artists sourced their raw intensity gave me a completely fresh perspective on the palettes I choose for my large scale abstract artworks.

The Fine Art of Mixing (And Breaking Language Barriers)

The workshop itself is predominantly instructed in Japanese, but don't let that hold you back if you're planning a trip over. Our tutor was incredibly accommodating, using highly visual demonstrations and precise techniques. Plus, they hand you an incredibly detailed English cheat sheet to reference throughout the class.

Perry and I rolled up our sleeves to learn the exact science—and art—of mixing pigments correctly. There is something deeply satisfying about manually binding raw pigment with mediums, feeling the grit transform beneath a muller, and watching an intense, pure hue come to life. Perry’s graphic pop art works rely on razor-sharp lines and bold characters, while my work is all about emotive, layered textures. Seeing how the same raw material could cater to two completely different contemporary art styles was magic.

Coming Soon to The Art Shouse YouTube!

We captured the whole vibrant experience on film! We are currently putting together a full, immersive vlog post that will be dropping soon over on our Art Shouse YouTube Channel. Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss the upcoming video.

Below are a few of my favourite snapshots from the day—the sheer spectrum of colour inside this space is enough to brighten up even the greyest, rainiest Tokyo afternoon.

Whether you are an artist seeking inspiration or a collector who loves diving into the history and craftsmanship behind the vibrant colours on your walls, Pigment Tokyo is a must-visit. This rainy day completely recharged our creative batteries, and I can't wait to let these new inspirations spill out across my next collection of large-scale abstract paintings.

Want to bring a piece of this colour journey into your own home? Head over to my Paintings Gallery to explore my latest original, museum-grade layered artworks available with free shipping world-wide.

Plan Your Visit: How to Get to Pigment Tokyo

If you want to track down this architectural masterpiece yourself, here is everything you need to know to get there smoothly:

The Location: Pigment Tokyo is housed on the ground floor of the gorgeous, Kengo Kuma-designed TERRADA Harbor One Building.
- Address: 1F TERRADA Harbor One Bldg., 2-5-5 Higashi-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo.
Make it an Art Day Out: Don't just stop at the workshop! Pigment Tokyo is positioned right in the beating heart of Tennozu Isle's creative district. Right nearby is the incredible Terrada Art Complex, which houses multiple floors of world-class contemporary art galleries and exhibition spaces. It’s an absolute goldmine for tracking down fresh global art trends.
Where to Fuel Up: The waterfront area is packed with fantastic, stylish cafes perfect for escaping the rain or discussing art over lunch. Our favourite find was BREWS. It’s an incredible concept space shared between the T.Y.HARBOR brewery and a NOZY COFFEE roastery. Walking among the massive industrial brewing tanks while sipping a nitro draft coffee or a craft beer is an absolute vibe.
Getting There by Train: The area is incredibly easy to reach via two main train lines:
- Rinkai Line: Take the train to Tennozu Isle Station. Take Exit B, and it is a quick, easy 3-minute walk to the store front.
- Tokyo Monorail: Take the monorail to Tennoz Isle Station. Head out the South Exit, and you will reach the lab doors in about 5 minutes.
Entry Cost: Walking into the main retail lab space to browse their unbelievable wall of pigments is completely free! If you want to dive deeper and get your hands messy like we did, their formal masterclasses and regular workshops generally run around ¥11,000 per person (which fully covers all premium materials and your expert instruction).