I'm pleased to be able to offer the following workshops for groups and guilds for 2008. If you would like more information on any of the workshops or would like to discuss dates and availability please do give me a ring or send me an e-mail. Please note that most workshops can be expanded or combined to give workshops lasting 2 or more days.
The first two workshops on this list are very near to my heart as my first book 'Cyanotypes on Fabric' has now been published and I'm working on my second book with the working title of 'Digital Images on Fabric'. I have 20 years experience of working in IT and I'm really enjoying combining IT with textiles!
Cyanotypes on Fabric
This is an introduction to the wonderful techniques of cyanotyping on fabric; a method from 1841 for producing beautiful, detailed white photographic images on a Prussian blue background. We will cover preparing the light sensitive fabric, producing photograms (printing flowers, foliage, lace and many other objects). We will also touch on tinting the final image. All in all a blue and white extravaganza! If the students have any digital photographs that they'd like to bring we MAY have time to produce a digital negative that they can print as a cyanotype. They need to make sure it is in jpeg or tiff format. I'm afraid we won't have the facility at the workshop to scan photographic prints.
Digital Images on Fabric
This workshop will cover various methods for transferring your digital images on to fabric including printing directly onto your fabric with inkjet and laser printers, using transfer film and, if there's time, solvent transfer or transfer using gel medium.
Indigo Dyeing with Shibori
For this workshop we will make up an indigo vat from scratch and will use it to dye a mixture of natural fibre fabrics (mainly cotton and silk). We will use a variety of basic shibori techniques such as clamping, pole wrapping and stitching to create textured patterns and designs utilising the unique properties of indigo.
Silk Painting without Gutta:
This is a workshop for silk painters who would like to work beyond the confines of gutta/outliner in a more spontaneous way. We will use steam fix dyes to give vibrant colour on sumptuous silk. No previous experience necessary.
Introduction to Silk Painting:
Silk painting for the beginner will cover the basics of using gutta to control the flow of paints/dyes through this glorious fabric in order to create traditional silk painting designs using iron fix silk paints.
Introduction to Batik:
This workshop will cover the basics of creating beautiful designs and textures on cotton with procion dyes and hot wax. A number of methods of making marks with wax and dyes will be used.
Batik Additions:
For this workshop we will be working with steam fix dyes on silk and will be combining freehand silk painting techniques with wax textures from batik to create patterns from nature and abstract designs. Batik meets silk painting. No previous experience needed.
Surface Decoration
In this workshop we will carve and create our own stamps and learn how to make our own stencils using a brilliant technique by Jane Dunnewold so that we do not end up with 'bridges' in our designs. We will then use these tools to layer designs on to our fabric. If time allows we will use small, ready prepared screens to print additional images and also look at foiling images onto fabric using the same stamps and stencils.
Discharge Techniques
My Charges:
For 2008 I will be charging £160 per workshop day, plus 35p per mile travelling, with an additional materials charge per student depending on which workshop is being run - usually in the region of £5-£7.
Requirements:
I normally supply the majority of the equipment and materials for the workshops and can take a maximum of 10 students at a time although some workshops can accommodate more, if some equipment can be supplied at the venue, or by the students, and you have enough space. We would need around 3 feet of table space per student for most of the workshops plus access to at least one sink and at least three electric sockets. Naturally, with workshops involving liquid dyes and paints there is always the possibility of a spillage so a venue with a good carpet would be risky! If you try and squeeze too many students into a room the risk increases.