Learn how to make your own natural ink from plants and trees
Big Pit National Coal Museum
In this one-day workshop you will learn how to make botanical inks from local plant pigments. Caroline Schofield eco-therapist and artist will demonstrate how these inks are made with leaves, berries and cones that grow locally and with flowers that you can easily grow in your garden.
In the morning, we will walk around Garn Lakes Nature Reserve to visit species of trees we will work with. Back in the studio we will create the inks together and you will learn how using โmordantsโ gives us a range of colours. We will discuss the opportunities for working with plants pigments where you live and consider some of the environmental ethics and safety considerations.
In the afternoon you will have chance to experiment with the inks we have made together to create your own images.
This day is suitable for complete beginners and experienced artists. The skills gained from this workshop are easily transferable to dyeing with textiles. You will need to be able to walk for 1.5 hour to participate, we will walk at a steady pace with stops and breaks. If you feel the walking element of the workshop is not for you, you are very welcome to stay on site and explore Big Pit instead.
