Discover the fascinating world of natural inks!

Explore how everyday natural materials can be transformed into inks with their own distinctive colours, textures and qualities.

From vibrant turmeric and blue butterfly pea flower to indigo, you’ll discover the surprising range of possibilities these materials offer while creating your own artwork.

What to expect

The session will begin with a demonstration of how simple ingredients can be used to make natural inks, followed by the opportunity to make a couple of your own while exploring a selection of ready-made inks.

You’ll then choose from a range of short creative projects including abstract painting, flowers, landscapes or illuminated letters.

Reference images will be provided for the flower and landscape projects, while the abstract and lettering projects offer more freedom to develop your own ideas.

You’ll be encouraged to experiment with the inks throughout the session, exploring different approaches to mark-making and developing your chosen project in your own style..

Good to know

Basic materials and a selection of inks are provided, including inks made from turmeric, butterfly pea flower, hibiscus, indigo and weld. Food and drink is also available for purchase throughout the session from our cafés.

This workshop is suitable for ages 18+ due to the materials used and is suitable for beginners as well as those with some experience of painting or working with inks.

What are natural inks?

Natural inks can be made from a wide range of materials, including plants, flowers, fruits, wood and metals. Different ingredients and methods can produce a fascinating variety of colours, textures and effects.

The history of natural ink-making stretches back centuries, with inks used to create everything from manuscripts and important documents to works of art.

Today, artists continue to explore these materials for their distinctive colours and the unpredictable marks they can create.

About your tutor

Frankie Baker is an artist whose practice has developed across a wide range of media, from animation and landscape watercolour to oils, acrylics, inks and collage.

Her current work combines a fascination with natural inks and abstract art with a love of transforming found and discarded materials into new shapes, textures and forms.

Frankie’s interest in natural inks grew from a long-standing love of herbs and a fascination with the history of ink-making. After successfully making her own Oak Gall