If you could paint with natural dyes

— imagine what you could do.

See natural dyes in a whole new way. Join us as we unlock the secrets of how to place mordants and dyes exactly where you want them.

Learn to make a paste out of either a mordant or a dye and place it on cloth with paint brushes, stencils, printing blocks or brush pens. Experience the dramatic contrasts available from ferrous and tannin combinations. Learn how to effectively finish your work and how to combine immersion techniques with direct application. Feel your creative world expand as you gain the power to  blend all the beautiful colours that mordant dyes can give.

Over 40 detailed instructional videos with written instructions and downloadable PDF's.

- Over 25 demonstration projects.

- Preparation of dye extracts, mordants, and printing pastes with clear, step by step instructions.

- Works taken from blank cloth to finished piece so you can see the entire process.

- Direct access to the instructors through a lively Q & A section.

Learn the process of making both pigmented and non-pigmented inks, including classics like iron gall ink as well as inks made from natural dyes like cochineal and lake pigments like weld.

In this workshop students will make a range of inks including water soluble and waterproof inks. The workshop will explore papers, and the basis of pointed pen (flexible) writing. Students will learn how to generalize the procedure of ink making so that it may be applied to any organic or mineral matter. The workshop will also present a discussion of journaling, writing, books, and creativity.

- 21 documentary-style instructional videos.

- Work with a range of materials including indigo, carbon black, cochineal, weld, gum Arabic and shellac.

- Learn about ink making as a way to explore materials.

- Consider the history of writing and ink and the future of your own creative practice

In this workshop students will be taken, step-by-step, through the process of making a number of indigo vats, including three organic "fruit vats." Students will learn not only how to make a vat but also how to maintain it, revive it, and put it to bed. The different vats will be explored through the use of many forms of shaped resist - including bound, clamp and stitch resist. An astonishing array of patterning is possible through these techniques. Students will learn how to adjust vats for different fibre types and conditions.

- 35 detailed instructional videos.

- All shaped resist techniques shown with clear, step by step instructions.

- Works taken from blank cloth to finished piece so you can see the entire process.

- An in-depth explanation of the chemistry of indigo extraction and indigo vats so you can learn how and why they work.

Discover why indigo is the worlds most magical dye.

At 9am on Monday you will see the registration buttons appear on each course page.

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These are in-depth workshops delivered through engaging high-definition videos. Our Instructors skillfully guide students accompanied by detailed notes and student Q & A sections. At the end of each workshop students may participate in an optional Zoom presentation.   

Workshops commence in September but students are free to work at their own pace. New content is delivered on a weekly basis until the course is complete. Students have access to workshops for three years from the date of purchase.

Our workshops are delivered on the teachable platform. To get a sense of how it works you may enrol in any of our seven free workshops.

 

—Have your Teachable login details ready on registration day. Be sure to enter a valid email address as this is how we will be communicating.

—Supply & Equipment List can be found on workshop sales pages.Workshop pages are listed here at maiwa.teachable.com.

Learn to successfully mordant cellulose and protein fibres.

Work with cloth and yarns to achieve vibrant, clear colours using classic natural dyes.

 

 

45 evocative instructional videos with written instructions and downloadable PDF's.

Work with 11 natural dyes including indigo.

Build dyepots from 18 recipes, shift colours with iron and overdye with indigo.

Complete the course with close to 100 different colours...and a whole new appreciation for the magic of natural dyes.

This online workshop is designed to be done anywhere in the world in your home or studio. It features a robust Q&A section with instructors answering student questions and one final live zoom event.

The Natural Dye Workshop online:

 

I’m teary-eyed right now. Can’t believe we’ve come to the end of this fabulous course. Oh wow, what a journey. You guys are wonderful. The course is wonderful. Not enough words to thank you and praise you for this experience. Please keep producing more on-line courses......please, please, please!

— Susan 

This has been an amazing course. The format for the lessons is perfect. I am totally zoomed out at this point and it is wonderful to get a lesson, fuss around on my own and see the outcome.   

The  modules are so incredibly well put together and to have the ability to go back and watch a module and ask a question is invaluable. Even without  answering questions - being able to go back and review the module is fantastic and so helpful.

— Erica

 

This has been the best class ever!!! I have loved doing it at home using my own water so that I am able to get consistent results all the time (hopefully). I am constantly looking at my hand dyed colours and thinking of what I will create next. I have learned sooo much from you both. You have incredible talent and knowledge that I am grateful to be on the receiving end of. Keep offering more online classes. Love the format!

— Shirley  

Thank you so much Charllotte and Sophena for this truly wonderful course! It has left me with a full force of inspiration :) The amount of detail, and care, and compassion you both have for your craft and for sharing your knowledge is beautiful to have been a part of. I will be re-watching and taking notes for many weeks to come.

— Ewa 

 

I am so sort of overwhelmed that this is ending... for now. I think back to my many grandmother’s who were textile people - sheep farmers, a tenter in a cotton mill, many many quilters and tatters and and crochet pillowcase trim makers...and wonder that of course they could never have imagined their future granddaughter would have the huge LUXURY of being able to keep her sanity during a time of quarantine by being able to intensely study natural dying for 10 weeks with the finest teachers on the topic. I have truly loved every minute of this - my “take outs” at the end would all be my grumpy ness at having to address the “activities of daily living” - like interrupting my dying to actually produce a meal or almost not being able to walk at the end of the day because I have been standing on the hard floor stirring the pots for many hours that day...every bit worth it!! 

— Patricia

 

I feel a bit emotional about the end of the course, it has been such a great journey and pure joy learning from you. The passion, love and kindness that you clearly show through your wonderful videos always make me smile and encourages me to keep going, experimenting, learning...I hope Sophena and the baby are doing well. I wish them and you all the happiness in the world.

— Margarida

 

This course has been such a fantastic and heart warming experience. I have wanted to do a course with Maiwa for years (but I'm in the UK) and have enjoyed this course so much! Your knowledge and passion for what you do shines out and it's so inspiring to have had this chance to learn from you and Sophena. The tutorials have been clear and so enjoyable to watch and learn from. The Q & A has been really valuable and I have appreciated to have your advice and just be able to ask questions. This has given me the confidence to go forward.

— Michele