Art textiles
Ref: SLW10342
Suitable for all
£416Explore creative printing with natural dyes, considering textile design, heritage colour, and sustainability. Produce dynamic beautiful textiles, using ecologically sourced materials using a contemporary interpretation of screen printing with botanical dyes.
The tutor will show fabric examples that demonstrate the pattern and repeating structure of print designs, and share her passion for colour, rhythm, and drawing. You are invited to bring visual references or research for inspiration, and have the opportunity to draw from nature in the award-winning West Dean Gardens.
You will learn to make botanical print pastes from heritage and indigenous plants; focusing on foraged and bio-waste plant materials. These colours will be enriched by natural dye extracts, to achieve vibrant and colourfast prints. The role of mordants in the print process will be explored and there will be opportunities to try some unusual ones. You will also discover the excitement of printing with colour modifiers; iron, citric, and soda ash, and learn how they can enhance and alter your designs.
Discover sustainable and best practice print and dye methods, and screen-printing utilising cut-paper stencils. Through a series of demonstrations and studio work you will explore design ideas. You can expect to create plenty of samples onto a variety of fabrics, and to produce complex patterns by experimenting with colours and layering of imagery. There will be the opportunity to print a scarf size piece of fabric.
You will be encouraged to create individual colour palettes and start a unique natural print reference book. The course is structured to be suitable for those who are beginners to print and dye, as well as those with more experience wanting to widen their knowledge and skills using botanical dyes.
Please note: the dye materials used on this course include potential allergens, as many are plant derived. It is not suitable for those with a sensitivity to allergens.
Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above
Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.
Daily timetable
Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.
From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).
Evening working - students may have access to workshops, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
Last day
Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.
Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.
(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)
Lara studied textiles in Brighton, and is an inspirational, creative print designer. She has sold work to major fashion brands, printed scarfs and hangings, and exhibited her intricate fabric designs. Lara paints, researches sustainability, and collaborates on artistic projects. She is an experienced and accomplished drawing and fabric design tutor.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.