August 26 - 27

10am - 4pm both days.

This class will go over all the basic instructions of how to forage for black walnuts and how to make ink, paint and dye from black walnuts, which are prevalent here in the Blue Ridge Mountains. We will also be painting with the ink that we make and basic painting and drawing instruction will be provided as needed.

Black walnuts are a great source of dye and ink and have been used in this region for thousands of years by the Cherokee people in their baskets.

Black walnuts are a unique source of dye because they do not require a mordant. They are very light fast (meaning, the dye does not fade) and can be boiled down to make a beautiful and rich ink. This ink can be used to write very fine lines with a dip pen or a tiny brush.

I have been painting realistic portraits on fabric with black walnut ink since 2016.

We will be painting on several kinds of fabric as well as watercolor paper.

All materials provided.