Achieve incredibly vibrant, realistic leaf prints using contact printing, a natural dye method of transferring the pigments found in plant material directly to cloth or paper (also known as eco-printing or botanical printing). In this workshop we will explore the basics of contact printing, including some rudimentary plant physiology and how to manipulate prints with mordants and dye blankets. We will also experiment with some simple shibori techniques and easy methods of embellishing the finished prints.
Students will leave with several printed scarves (silk and wool), a variety of printed fabric samples, printed papers suitable for book arts or other paper arts, handouts for technique review, and a newfound appreciation for the color and beauty within the common leaf.