Langdyke Colours - Eco-Printing on Paper - Experimental Workshop

This is an experimental Eco-printing On Paper workshop, led by Sarah Lambert and Kathryn Parsons, who are Artists in Residence with Langdyke Countryside Trust.

For more than three years, Sarah and Kathryn have been using natural dyeing and eco-printing to record seasonal changes on Langdyke's nature reserves. Join them for a gentle, fun and explorative day learning simple eco-printing techniques to transfer colour from plants on to paper!

Using foraged leaves and wildflowers you'll make your own eco-printed mini zig-zag books, and a collection of single sheets too.

The workshop will start at Swaddywell Nature Reserve, near Helpston, Cambridgeshire. We’ll go for a gentle walk to forage for leaves and flowers, led by Sarah who is a botanist and ecologist. If mobility is an issue you can choose to miss out this part of the workshop. We’ll then meet up again at the cabin on Torpel Manor Field Nature Reserve, about 3 miles away, for the rest of the workshop.

The results are guaranteed to be unpredictable!… and that can be very beautiful. Not every colour created will last a long time, and not even every type of plant will give colour. So it will be a treasure-hunt for colours and a great way to explore nature, with a small group of like-minded others. If you're looking for a technical workshop with guaranteed results, this one is not for you!

This workshop is aimed at adults. If you are considering bringing a child please get in touch so we can discuss whether it would be suitable for them.

We’ll also show you how to add subtle layers of extra colour to eco-prints using water-colour pencils.

And there will be a break for lunch and in the afternoon.

Please bring:

• waterproof gloves (the thin type are good)
• tweezers
• a bag or box to take your damp eco-prints home
• clothing and shoes suitable for walking round the nature reserve where there is uneven, possibly muddy ground. Long trousers are best.
• a camera to record your experiments
• your packed lunch, drinks and snacks (tea and coffee available)

• optional: papers (avoid ones that leach colour or fall apart when wet!)
• optional: water-colour pencils, watercolours or other pencils

About the artists...

Kathryn Parsons is an artist, and has been Artist in Residence with Langdyke Countryside Trust since 2019. Through her work she uncovers and shares little know stories of place and nature. She is also a qualified teacher and loves leading creative gatherings that help others connect more deeply with their own creativity and with nature. www.kathrynparsons.co.uk

Sarah Lambert is a botanist, ecologist and photographer, and joined Kathryn as a Langdyke Artist in Residence in 2021. Sarah regularly leads wildlife holidays, events and workshops. She delights in sharing her knowledge with others and helping them get to know plants and wildlife.

Please note: the ticket fee will go to the artists to contribute towards running this workshop.

Host or Publisher Kathryn Parsons - Langdyke Artist in Residence