Amsterdam plants ink workshop with locally foraged species
We are excited to host this master course with the incredible Lucila Kenny
Join us for a two-day workshop exploring the hidden colours growing around us. We'll forage for local plants, prepare natural inks, and dive into the science and art of colour. The workshop is split across two sessions: the first day focuses on foraging and plant identification, while the second day is dedicated to cooking, modifying, and testing the inks.
This hands-on course blends fieldwork, botanical knowledge, and experimental ink-making, designed for artists, designers, and curious minds.
Together, we’ll explore the following questions:
What is colour? Where does it come from? How can we observe our surroundings through a different lens, both artistically and scientifically?
What can you expect from this workshop?
Saturday, April 11th
15:00 - 18:00
In-depth introduction to natural colourants
Foraging walk in the neighbourhood to identify and harvest seasonal flora
Preparing plant material for ink extraction on the second day
Sunday, April 12
15:00 - 18:00
Cooking and extracting colour from the foraged plants
Experimenting with modifiers (like pH shifts) to expand the colour palette
Learning about dye families, their properties, and lightfastness
Testing results on various types of paper and documenting outcomes
This is a unique opportunity to work with locally foraged material, experiment with natural inks, and deepen your understanding of colour, from soil to surface.
Amsterdam Plants Ink Workshop
Price: €150
Includes:
- High quality materials
- Step by step guidance
- High quality printing paper
- PDF handout
- Refreshments & snacks
Max 8 people per group
Who is Lucila Kenny?
Lucila Kenny is an Argentinean textile designer and natural dye specialist based in Amsterdam. She runs a studio focused on local plant colourants and collaborates with artist-biologist Naan Rijks on the Painting Plants project, cultivating a dye garden for research and education. Lucila shares her expertise through workshops, seminars, and collaborations with artists, designers, and institutions.
