Natural Printing with Earth and Tannins

Natural Printing with Earth and Tannins

Tannins and mineral materials can interact on fabric, revealing deep nuances and making it possible to build drawings, contrasts and patterns. In this workshop, you will explore this relationship through different printing techniques, discovering traditional references from different territories and how cultures have worked with plants, earth and fabric.

I want to discover — 2h30

Introduction to the historical references and to the interaction of plant and mineral materials on fabric. Application on fabric and study of the results.

You will learn to:

learn the origin of the technique and the materials used; experiment with different methods; build simple forms and patterns; understand the washing and finishing stages.

At the end, you take home a small piece made during the workshop and an introductory guide to the process.

Note

In this format, the fabrics and some materials needed to complete the workshop will be prepared in advance.

I want to continue learning — 4h

You will go further in understanding the process and the relationship between plant material, earth and pattern construction. You will learn about the stages of fabric preparation, make samples and experiment with applications before developing a small composition of your own.

You will learn to:

understand the main stages of this traditional technique, the role of tannins and the characteristics of the mineral material; experiment with different consistencies and applications; work with lines and surfaces; explore repetition and rhythm; observe colour development; wash, finish, compare and document the results.

At the end, you take home a piece with your own composition and a practical guide to the process.

I want to gain my autonomy — 1 day

You will explore the relationship between tannins, mineral materials and fabric through different printing techniques, learn about their cultural origins and learn three techniques for applying them to fabric. From this sampler, you will select the most interesting results to develop your own composition.

You will learn to:

understand the origin, principles and main stages of bogolan; prepare the fabric and a tannin-rich plant bath; understand the relationship between concentration, fabric and result; prepare and identify samples; prepare the earth; experiment with different techniques and intensities; make successive applications; develop a personal motif without directly reproducing traditional symbolic language; plan and create a composition.

Before the final piece, you will build a small sampler with several patterns.

At the end, you take home a final piece, a practical guide and a method for continuing to explore the relationship between plants, tannins, earth and fabric.

General information

Private groups: yes
Schools and institutions: adaptable format
Participants: minimum 3, maximum 6 at BlancArt Studio
Materials: all necessary materials are included
Professional/teacher training: may give rise to specific content, handled separately.

Note

The plant and mineral materials used may vary according to availability and workshop format. The approach presents the material principles of bogolan and its cultural origin, without claiming to reproduce or replace traditional Malian learning.