Charcoal and

other black inks

Join artist Annie Hogg in an exploration of natural black ink making.

You will receive a recording of home charcoal making before we meet online, where, together we will make two water based inks from our new charcoal. One will be suitable for use with brush and the other suitable for dip pen and marker.

£40

All sessions are recorded and made available for a week following the course.

This also includes times for any feedback questions.

IN A 2 HOUR LIVE SESSION:

  • Learn

    Throughout our workshop together, we will take a close look at the historical oak gall black ink or iron gall ink, looking at its development in the the Arabic tradition to its introduction into the European Medieval tradition. We will also have a whistle stop tour of other ways through history of making these much used blacks and explore some modern cheats and new materials.

  • Prepare your charcoal

    Using the video sent to you before the session, participants will prepare their charcoal ready for the live workshop.

    You’re also welcome to use shop bought charcoal sticks if desired! Approximately 3 tablespoons will be required for this session.

  • Tools

    Tools:

    A mortar and pestle, or anything that will allow you to ground down the charcoal and blend it well. (A glass or marble chopping board and the back of a large spoon will also work).

    Funnel and filter. Loose woven material will work best such as cheese cloth but not a coffee filter!

    Measuring spoons - we will be working off measurements in tablespoons.

    Sterilised/clean jar for storage of ink, label for jar and paper and brushes/dip pens for testing the results.

    A face mask - this is to prevent breathing in particles

  • Materials

    Materials:

    Gum arabic binder. Approx 4 tablespoons, either as powder or liquid. A recipe for homemade seaweed binder will also be included with the charcoal making video before the workshop, so participants will have the choice to make this also.

    Water, approx 7 tablespoons of.

    Charcoal...of course!

Book Here

Series Feedback

  • ‘This was the best workshop I have taken in 3 years. Annie was extraordinarily generous with her recipes. Thanks so much.’

    Cynthia

  • 'These workshops have been hugely influential in the way my practice has developed'.

    Joan

  • ‘Mind blowing and heart opening workshop … dense with practical and poetic inspiration’

    Cam

  • 'Full of inspiration and magic.'

    Kathryn

  • 'Thank you so much. Two hours very well spent with plenty to think about and do.'

    Liz

  • 'Thank you all for an amazing and inspirational Session! I'm just starting a new project and so this has all been really helpful!'

    Naomi

  • 'Thank you everyone. Really inspiring and nice to feel that connection with others.'

    Jess

  • 'Thank you all so much! It's been one of the best sessions I've done in ages. x'

    Elder

Workshop
Host

Annie Hogg

Annie is a visual artist, based in Tipperary, Ireland. Her work is a consideration and observation of local and global environmental changes. Using natural materials which undergo various transformations, she makes installations, sculpture, live art and mark making on paper and found materials. Her interest in utilising materials from the natural world began as an exploration in colour capture, which led to developing transformative processes to make materials then used within her practice. Annie's installation LOST recently won the K-Fest Arts Award Prize. She is currently researching new work exploring new medium and natural processes.