Medieval Ink Making Workshop

Welcome to the Natural Ink Workshop!

Join Helen and Tom to embark on your inky adventures. Taking place at The Make Space, set in the beautiful Tithe Barn, Bradford-on-Avon.

Long before commercialism and petrochemicals took over, oak gall and iron ink was used as the go-to black in the west. It is considered one of the most permanent inks and can last for hundreds of years. The Magna Carter, Shakespeare's plays, the Declaration of Independence and some of Da Vinci's drawings are testament to this fact.

Oak galls are formed on oak trees by the interaction of a little gall wasp that lays it's larvae on the tree which then creates unusual growths that are very high in tannic acid. Once hatched the galls can be harvested, ground and cooked to release their powerful pigment.

In this workshop, you will be taken outside and shown which plants to forage (weather permitting) You will be taught how to extract their colour and how to play with modifiers and binders.

Let your creativity flow, as you experiment with different colours. No prior experience is necessary.

You will take home home a bottle of ink and we will send you a digital instruction manual upon completion.

Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to explore the art of natural ink making with like-minded individuals. We look forward to meeting you soon.

Need To Know...

All materials will be provided.

Tea and coffee will be provided.

Wear clothes you don't mind getting inky.

We run our workshop at a minimum of 4 people. If bookinga are less than this number, we will postpone the workshop and either transfer your booking to an alternate date or give a full refund (you can choose your preference)

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