Workshops
Make your own Sustainable Art Materials
Wild Studio is currently running workshops in the beautiful Kauaeranga Valley where we are based, (near Thames in the Coromandel). We're also offering one-off workshops in Raglan, Coromandel Town, and Victoria, Australia.
We'd love you to come join us!
These workshops are a hands-on experience where participants learn to create sustainable art materials from plants, and explore the creative possibilities of these media.
You'll learn to make artist's drawing charcoal, hand-crafted dip pens, rich black ink and vibrant coloured painting inks (similar to liquid watercolours), and will take all of these home with you, as well as the skills and knowledge to continue making more. You'll also have time to play and experiment with your new art materials. We love sharing our enthusiasm for this work, and offer a warm welcome to people of all levels of experience.
> See a detailed course outline here.
"This was honestly one of the most satisfying weekend activities I've done in months. I loved that it mixed nature, art, colour and science" -BJ
> Read more feedback from workshop participants here.
We can also offer a range of tailored workshops or events for groups, including art collectives, private or corporate groups, or retreat workshops, and we may be available to travel to your location. Private bookings for 3+ available on request. Please get in touch to discuss the options.
Sun, 15 SeptLaborartry, Raglan15 Sept 2024, 10:00 am – 3:30 pmLaborartry, Raglan, Raglan, New ZealandJoin us in Raglan, to learn how to create sustainable art materials from plants.
Sat, 05 OctCastlemaine05 Oct 2024, 10:00 am – 3:30 pmCastlemaineJoin us in Castlemaine to learn how to make sustainable art supplies from plants.
Sat, 26 OctThames26 Oct 2024, 10:30 am – 4:00 pmThames, Kauaeranga Valley Road, Thames, New ZealandLearn to make sustainable art supplies from the plants around you.
Sat, 30 NovDriving Creek Railway and Pottery30 Nov 2024, 10:30 am – 4:00 pmDriving Creek Railway and Pottery, 380 Driving Creek Road, Coromandel 3506, New ZealandJoin us at Driving Creek Railway and Pottery to learn how to make sustainable art supplies from plants.- Sat, 18 JanThames18 Jan 2025, 10:30 am – 4:00 pmThames, Kauaeranga Valley Road, Thames, New ZealandLearn to make sustainable art supplies from the plants around you.
Photo credits - Workshop images above: Niva Kay; Sliding images at top of page: Claire Cowan
Workshop Reviews:
"Amazing workshop for any level of experience. I learnt so much and I am super keen to keep experimenting." - SL.
"This was honestly one of the most satisfying weekend activities I've done in months. I loved that it mixed nature, art, colour and science. It was a total delight making practical things with materials you can get in your garden, or your neighbours garden… ha!" - B Johnson.
"Emma and Sarah are talented and passionate tutors who met us where we were at with knowledge and experience of art and craft. The workshop fostered a sense of play and experimentation and I loved the magic of seeing colours evolve on the page before us. Just gorgeous and lots of fun! Oh, and the morning tea was delicious!!" - Claire
"I'm not arty but this workshop was cool as! I enjoyed all the cool learning about the environment, useful skills, making, and of course the colours and how they react was fascinating." - JP
"WOW! It was so much fun to get to play and experiment like this, which I almost never get to do as an adult. What a joy!" - AP
"Emma and Sarah have created the perfect workshop for learning about and exploring natural inks. Their warm presence and obvious passion for what they do made for an enjoyable (and therapeutic) afternoon! Thank you." - MN
Course Outline:
Tutors: Emma Cowan and Sarah Nicholson.
In this hands-on workshop from Wild Studio, you will discover the possibilities for making your own art materials, and come away with tools and painting media that you have made yourself, as well as the knowledge to continue further explorations and experiments at home.
You will learn how to make artist's drawing charcoal sticks, which woods work well, how to prepare them, and how to make a simple charcoal kiln.
You will then be guided through the process to make your own rich black inks for drawing and lettering, and learn the different ways that these inks can be used.
With foraged materials, we will craft simple and effective dip pens, that can be styled to suit many nib types for script or line drawings.
After a short lunch break, we will dive into the world of botanical colour. We will share with you our research into the possibilities for extracting beautiful, vibrant hues from common plants and weeds, and take you through the process from start to finish. You will make your own coloured painting inks (similar to liquid watercolours) to take home.
There will also be time to play and experiment with these materials.
Suitable for all levels of experience. Age 12+