Join founder of Botanical Inks, Babs Behan, at our Bristol-based, non-toxic natural dye studio, for an introduction to transitioning to a sustainable and plant-based creative practise.
You will learn how to:
sustainably source fabrics, dyes, mordants.
source equipment for your own dye studio
make and use natural mordants from local plants
make and use natural dyes from whole plant materials, powders and extract powders.
make and use natural inks for drawing, writing and printmaking on paper and cloth.
use a range of ecological surface application techniques including natural dyeing, bundle dyeing, hapazome, shibori, painting, drawing, relief printing with woodblocks and found plant materials and paper-cut screen-printing,
prepare, mordant and dye protein and cellulose fibres without the use of any harmful synthetic chemicals.
transform dyes into inks suitable for drawing, writing and printing with wooden blocks and screen printing. Creating colour from plant-to-print.
use flowers and plant materials for bundle dyeing to up-cycle an item of your own.
Day 1 will include:
An intro to sustainable materials sourcing, the theory and practice of natural dyeing - preparing cloth, yarn and paper for dyeing and printing - preparing mordants - preparing plant material to make dyes - preparing paper cut stencils for screen printing - preparing binders for inks
Day 2 will include:
Dyeing samples with the prepared dyes - bundle dyeing - hapazome - preparing inks - printing samples with blocks and paper cut stencil screen printing - sample drawing/writing inks - shibori
This course is focused on learning the processes, rather than creating a finished item. You will be provided with small samples of different organic, locally sourced cloth and yarn made from a range of plant and animal fibres ( e.g. cotton, linen, silk, wool) and recycled paper. To create a collection of dye and print samples to take away with you. You are also invited to bring a small item of clothing to up-cycle with bundle dyeing. (A small vest or scarf would be ideal - nothing too chunk/heavy/fluffy - bring a selection to choose from on the day)
You will take away a collection of naturally dyed and printed cloth and paper samples, and bundle dyed item of your own, and the skills to continue to use these techniques again yourself using simple equipment which can be found in the kitchen or home.
This is a great course for those wishing to kick start their natural dye practise with all the basics to get them going.
Optional Day 3 (Friday, March 6th):
To create your own personal project. Using the skills and techniques developed in the 1st 2 days, you can create a unique piece of work using your own creativity, personal guidance from Babs and the materials and equipment found in the studio.
Class runs 10am-4pm each day. We will break for lunch for one hour 1-2pm each day and go to the Old Market Assembly or Rabbit Food cafe (food not included in price). You are also welcome to bring your own packed lunch or make alternative plans.
2 Day Course Ticket Price: Full Price: £600/ Conc’s: £540 - includes all materials except byo item for bundle dyeing.
3 Day Course Ticket Price: Full Price: £900/ Conc’s: £810 - includes all materials except byo item for bundle dyeing.
Please bring: A notebook and pen, a small 100% silk item for up-cycling with bundle dyeing (A small vest or scarf would be ideal - nothing too chunk/heavy/fluffy - bring a selection to choose from on the day).
Copies of Botanical Inks book are available to purchase at the studio - please bring card or cash.
Places are limited to only 5 people for an intimate learning experience, and will sell out fast, so please ensure you book quickly to avoid disappointment.
You will be emailed full info prior to workshop.
For more info, please email Babs at: hello@botanicalinks.com
