Ink Making - Botanical and Mineral

An introductory workshop to making your own drawing inks from materials we find in our kitchen to collated natural sources.

During this workshop, you will learn about making your own inks, from preparation through to working bottled inks. You will be introduced to both water and alcohol- based inks, processes that require heat as well as those that do not.

Inks that will be explored and / or learnt about include acorn, pomegranate, onion, copper, logwood and turmeric. We will then explore modifiers and activating ingredients – this is where the real magic happens!

There will also be time to explore our inks and DIY tools through drawing and mark- making. At this point, we will also consider agents that can be added to change the consistency of the inks.

This is a fun and engaging workshop, after which you will have a collection of inks to take away with you.

This workshop is open to all levels of experience.

This will be an informative yet relaxed workshop. Nicola is known to bring plenty of content to their classes but spreads it out so there is time to explore, play and ask questions. You can expect a light, fun, instructive and well-planned session with plenty to take away and develop in your own time.

All materials are provided for this workshop but please do bring along a notepad and pen, if you have your own scissors, this is always useful.

Your tutor is Nicola Perren, having taught for over 25 years in textiles and drawing, they bring experience, knowledge, and creativity. Nicola loves to learn through doing, is process orientated and loves a good mistake. Within their own practice, colour, expression and abstraction are key. They have their own designer maker business, Perren Studios for which they create hand painted & printed textiles, quilts, and other product-based collections.

Here's what other participants have had to say about creating and learning with Nicola:

“Inspired! I have loved this session and wanted to do more. 2 hours went in a blink!” Anonymous

“Putting the theory into actually doing it helps me to remember what to do and how to do it.” Anonymous

“Absolutely loved this workshop. Nicola was fantastic and very inspiring” Anonymous.

“Exciting to learn new things. Lovely leader: very knowledgeable and approachable. Excellent workshop, very informative” Anonymous

“I’ve gained so many new skills and so much knowledge. Loads! Too much to list! Mordants, copper, flowers, loads!” Anonymous

“Very well organised, we did several activities and kept to time! And had time to learn the theory. A very well planned and fun session. Thank you!” Anonymous

Host or Publisher The Craft House