MAKE CARBON BLACKS & URBAN-FORAGED PIGMENTS

CARBON BLACKS - Learn to make charcoal-based painting inks and drawing media from foraged materials

with artists Emma Cowan and Sarah Nicholson, from Wild Studios

Discover the satisfying craft of making your own drawing and painting media from handmade charcoal, and urban-foraged pigments, in this immersive one-day workshop.

Firstly, we will explore suitable raw materials for charcoal making, and show you how to make a simple kiln. You will discover how to create a variety of soft and medium artists' drawing charcoal sticks, and how to make all-natural spray fixatives. You'll also learn how to create smudge-proof and waterproof charcoal sticks for mixed media work, and handmade Conté sticks of various tones.

Weather permitting, we will light an outdoor camp fire to heat our charcoal kiln during the lunch break. After lunch we'll show you how to turn handmade charcoal into rich black inks using natural binders, creating painting inks that are beautiful, expressive and versatile. We will explore various options for binders, including a recipe for all-natural glossy, water-resistant ink. We will also explore the use of urban-foraged pigments, from sources such as old terracotta bricks and rust, to create unique, permanent inks in warm shades to compliment the black and grey-toned carbon-based inks.

There will be plenty of time to experiment with the materials, exploring the effects of different binders, intensities, and application techniques. All of the materials covered in this workshops are fully permanent and lightfast.

At the end of the day, you will take home your collection of artists' drawing charcoal and conte in a tin, and a jar of carbon black ink, along with the practical knowledge to continue all the processes yourself using materials from your own environment.

Morning tea will be provided, along with all the materials for the day. Suitable for all levels of experience.

Who is the workshop for? This workshop is for all levels of experience - for artists, educators, creative practitioners, or beginners curious about natural media.

10.30 - 3.30 Sunday Oct 18th