WILD STUDIO
Workshops
Expand your creativity with art materials crafted directly from the landscape around you.
Our hands-on workshops offer practical methods for creating your own unique art materials from locally-foraged and homegrown plants.
Sat, 17 JanKauaeranga Valley HallLearn to make sustainable art supplies from the plants around you.
Fri, 20 FebKauaeranga Valley, ThamesImmerse yourself in a whole weekend experience of making art materials directly from the landscape
Sat, 21 MarStudio One - Toi TūLearn to make sustainable art supplies from the plants around you.
COURSE
OUTLINE
Explore hands-on and nourishing processes that weave together art making, environment, and a sense of connection with the living world.
Learn to make:
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Artists' Drawing Charcoals
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Carbon Black Inks
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Handcrafted Dip Pens
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Tannin-rich Inks (for linework & painting)
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Vibrant Botanical Inks (for painting)
CUSTOM WORKSHOPS
We can also offer tailored workshops or events for groups, and we may be available to travel to your location. Private bookings for 3+ available on request. Please get in touch to discuss the options.
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Workshop Reviews:
"Amazing workshop for any level of experience. I learnt so much and I am super keen to keep experimenting." - SL.
"This was honestly one of the most satisfying weekend activities I've done in months. I loved that it mixed nature, art, colour and science. It was a total delight making practical things with materials you can get in your garden, or your neighbours garden… ha!" - B Johnson.
"Emma and Sarah are talented and passionate tutors who met us where we were at with knowledge and experience of art and craft. The workshop fostered a sense of play and experimentation and I loved the magic of seeing colours evolve on the page before us. Just gorgeous and lots of fun! Oh, and the morning tea was delicious!!" - Claire
"I'm not arty but this workshop was cool as! I enjoyed all the cool learning about the environment, useful skills, making, and of course the colours and how they react was fascinating." - JP
"WOW! It was so much fun to get to play and experiment like this, which I almost never get to do as an adult. What a joy!" - AP
"Emma and Sarah have created the perfect workshop for learning about and exploring natural inks. Their warm presence and obvious passion for what they do made for an enjoyable (and therapeutic) afternoon! Thank you." - MN
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Course Outline:
Tutors: Emma Cowan and Sarah Nicholson.
In our hands-on workshops, you will discover the diverse possibilities for making your own art supplies from wild-foraged and homegrown plants. You'll come away with natural painting and drawing supplies, and the skills and confidence to continue creating with the plants in your own local environment.
Artists' Charcoal
First you'll learn to make artist's drawing charcoal sticks, discover which woods work well, how to prepare them, how to make a simple charcoal kiln, and how to make smudge-proof charcoal!
Carbon Black Ink
Then you'll be guided through the process of making your own rich black ink for drawing, painting and lettering, and learn an ancient recipe for all-natural, water-resistant black ink.
Dip Pens
With foraged materials, we will craft simple and effective dip pens, that can be styled to suit many nib types for script or line drawings.
Tannin-based Inks
Learn how to extract rich earthy tones from tannin-rich materials such as barks, leaves, husks and cones. These types of inks have been used for centuries by master artists, and are excellent for writing, drawing and painting. Perfect for use with your handcrafted dip pen.
Coloured Botanical Inks
Next we will dive into the world of botanical colour. We will share with you our research into the possibilities for extracting beautiful, vibrant colours from common plants and weeds. You will learn how to make your own coloured painting inks (similar to liquid watercolours) and discover how to intensify and modify your inks to create a wide range of hues. We will also discuss longevity, what factors affect this, and how we can increase it.
At the end of the day, you will go home with natural ink, dip pen and charcoal drawing sticks to begin your natural art-making journey!
This is a practical workshop suitable for all levels of experience. Our workshops are aimed at adults, but are also suitable for teens.
Afterwards, you will be able to join our Facebook group for workshop participants, where you can continue to discuss ideas and share experiments with our natural art-making community.