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Short course

Botanical Paint and Print at Home Online Short Course

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<p>Botanical Paint and Print at Home Online Short Course | Online</p><p>Image: Natural Dye Printing | UAL Short Courses</p>
Learn to create vibrant botanical paints from natural sources. Create unique prints and patterns using plants. This self-paced course offers flexible learning for busy schedules, from any location.

Course description

Course overview

Discover the vibrant world of botanical colours, explore the art of creating your own plant-based paints and learn a variety of techniques for applying them to textiles.

Start with the basics of botanical colours, including how to select plants and responsibly source natural pigments. Learn colour extraction techniques to uncover rich, vibrant hues for your artistic projects. Follow our process videos and receive guidance and support from your tutor to build practical skills and boost your creative confidence.

Gain insight into the cultural and historical context of botanical pigments and learn how traditional craft methods can inspire sustainable practices in your work. You will explore fabric painting, printing, and eco-friendly techniques.

Throughout the course, you’ll engage in hands-on experimentation, combining colours and techniques to develop your own personal style. By the end, you will have created your own botanical paints and completed your own textile creation by blending creativity, skill, and environmental mindfulness.

Who this course is for

This course is perfect for beginners interested in natural pigments, as well as creative practitioners looking to expand their practice to include vibrant botanical colours.

It is a hands-on course that requires access to a kitchen and the materials needed to create and process your own botanical paints. We recommend participants be 18 or older.

Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, your tutor Emma will help you unlock the creative potential of botanical paint and add sustainable colour to your work.

Key information

Topics covered

  1. Botanical colours basics: introduction to natural paint sources, plant selection, and eco-friendly practices.
  2. Colour extraction techniques: methods for extracting vibrant colours from plants, learn to work with modifiers to create a variety of unique colours.
  3. Textile printing and painting: create unique botanical paints and explore practical techniques to experiment and push your creativity. Learn how to prepare fabric for painting and then how to fix your design for longevity.
  4. Sustainability: emphasising eco-conscious methods and using sustainable materials.
  5. Cultural and historical context: understanding traditional botanical painting techniques from around the world.
  6. Experimentation and creativity: encouraging personal expression through hands-on projects and colour combinations.
  7. Project-based learning: building practical skills through guided projects and final textile creations. You will learn through a combination of demonstrations and course work submissions with personalised feedback from the tutor.

Learning outcomes

  • The basics of botanical paint the types of plants commonly used for colour extraction
  • How to collect, prepare, and store plant-based lakes
  • The process of producing and applying botanical paint made from botanical sources
  • Using botanical lakes to apply to various fabric types, experimenting with modifiers to achieve diverse and vibrant results
  • How to prepare, apply and set your designs into fabric and textiles
  • Aim to complete a final project that incorporates multiple techniques and methods learned throughout the course
  • Research, plan and produce a design that can be applied to fabric; this could be a piece of artwork, upcycling a garment, creating pattern or print for a textile project, it's up to you!
  • Receive a digital badge and certificate of attendance

Materials

You will need to purchase and source a variety of materials and equipment in order to create your own paints, you can view the full list and our recommended suppliers for each step and lesson here: About this course: Materials | UAL Short Courses

Please see our Guide to taking online short courses 


Tutor

Emma Gluziki


Emma Gluziki is a further and higher education lecturer, passionate about supporting students in developing their interests and exploring modern themes and personal beliefs. Specialising in sustainable textile design, with a passion for experimenting with plant-based colours and eco-friendly dyeing techniques; Emma has travelled widely to learn traditional dyeing methods from diverse cultures, and aims to bring these unique practices into her teaching.

Emma graduated from Central Saint Martins and has undertaken various artist residencies,  working as a freelance pattern cutter, business advisor and lectures in art, textiles and fashion. Emma is currently the program manager for an educational charity, and she continues to develop her own fashion and textile practice. When out of the studio, Emma is either to be found in her garden or in the boxing ring.  

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