On the first day of this intensive workshop students will learn how to make quick organic (natural)  indigo vats and resists for white patterns on a blue background.

The preparation of organic indigo vats is easy:
Students will be taught how to start and how to keep and maintain their vat for a long time.
Different and simple recipes will be offered and explained. All kinds of natural fibers will be dyed in these vats, so students can play and experiment.
A very creative method to realize white patterns on a blue background will be presented.  First of all, we will prepare a special resist paste, by mixing together clay, gum and magnesium salt. This paste will be applied on a white fabric.
Dry your fabric and dye it in your indigo vat. Then, by rinsing the so treated piece with ordinary water from the tap, the resist is easily cleaned, and the white designs appear on a blue background

On the second day students learn how to use mordants for printing and make a sampler with various mordants within one piece of fabric in order to test any kind of dyestuff.

On the third and last day the following techniques and possibilities will be dealt with:
> Printing with blocks/ printing with silkscreen
> Polychromatic effects on cotton, using Indigo together with the mordant processes

This class is for advanced level - not for beginners.

ABOUT MICHEL
Michel Garcia comes to the vat with a fresh perspective. A background in botany and chemistry and an intense knowledge of (natural) colourants combined with his eagerness to share information is a guarantee for a successful workshop.

Spoken language: English

This class is for all levels but some dyeing experience is requested.

Inspired by the formal patterns of lace, a whispy material is formed. The techniques can be used with in a number of projects requiring a delicate and dainty finish, such as brooches and fascinators.

Students are encouraged to work from a source photograph or drawing which incorporates a strong pattern. A formal lace design can be used.

The design is sketched out on paper - a simplification of the original. This is a very stylised version of the pattern so students do not have to worry about th ability to be able to 'draw'. This also assists with the size of the work to be completed and formulates the route to be taken whilst using the sewing machine.

Note:

The 'Paper Lace' workshop is different from the previous one (The Flower Brooch)
due to the delicacy of the technique/procedure so will be an addition but can be followed separately.

A sewing machine is required and some knowledge of 'free-machining' is preferred.

Below you will find a list of requirements to bring.

During this class you will complete a 'flower brooch' in a day.....if not two!

It is a new and contemporary way of using old magazines, deconstructing and reconstructing the papers and producing a piece of wearable art, in short: Creative Recycling.

They all develop differently, different shapes, colours and patterns. Some bold and solid, others delicate and dainty; Embellished and decorated with sequins, baubles and beads.

Every brooch is completely personal and unique.

Students are requested to seek out unusual papers or magazines with favourite colours or subjects. A wide variety of papers are succesful for this project. Fabrics and ribbons can be introduced to the design, if the student wishes but can be made entirely from paper.

The work is machine stitched using either automatic stitching or 'free'machining. Once the work is fully connected the piece is washed and dried: the embellishment is the last step.

As said before, the project takes a day to complete. Most students tend to finish one brooch and have another strip of fabric to complete later at home.

NOTE:
A sewing machine is required and basic knowledge of the machine.

a small requirement list can be found below.

Individual starter packs will be supplied by the tutor with the products and brooch backings to complete the project. 

Maximum number of participants: 15

Rusting will be combined with different surface design techniques such as shibori (tie-dye), stamping, stencilling or screen printing with thermofax screens and rubbing.

The fabrics can be dyed before or after the rusting and/or painted by hand as well as embellished with paintsticks.

Because of the variety of techniques offered and time needed to dry the fabric in between we decided to offer you a 2-day class to enable you to finish your projects.

For all levels. Students are encouraged to make various scarves or sample lengths.
 

In this 2 day workshop the basic techniques of encaustic will be introduced.

We will work on sturdy types of paper such as watercolour or handmade paper, birch plywood and/or wood and on special wooden frames. (NB. These frames will be supplied by the teacher.)

We will begin with preparation of the surfaces with e.g. encaustic gesso and/or watercolour paper; application of the encaustic medium and further surface treatments.

Photo transfer will be addressed using photocopies of images from students personal collection.

Complex effects will be achieved when colour is applied in layers.

Building texture plays an important role in this workshop: mixed media, fabrics and threads will be added to the surface and stencils used to add relief.

Several mediums and techniques will be used to explore line: e.g. etching & filling with coloured wax, stamping and personal graphite drawings and rubbings using Saral transfer paper.

During the workshop students will be encouraged to develop their own personal visual language.

Different tools will be introduced: students will have the chance to work with a special warming palette. They will also use a professional, adjustable IWATANI torch/burner using butane gas as well as an electric hot wax art stylus.

For this workshop there will be additional charges for materials and tools (info upon request).

NB: for those who are interested in gaining more information about this technique there are several English spoken DVD's available for sale, which can be ordered from Zijdelings. Also all necessary materials are available from Zijdelings and can be also ordered via email.