Plant colour palette: Organic dyes, inks and paints

During this course you will explore the Botanic Garden to gather materials to develop a plant colour palette. This hands-on experience will provide you with the knowledge and tools to create your paint systems using plants as a medium for artistic expression.  You will learn about colour compositions, paint layering, natural binders, organic fillers, preservatives and coloured egg glazes. Each day will be dedicated to exploring specific plants related to different colours, such as blue, red, yellow, orange, purple, green and black. Additionally, you will have exclusive access to an ‘organic paint recipe archive’ and the Botanic Dyes Colour Research, offering detailed insights into the practical foundations of paint-making using a variety of common and unusual plants. During the course Nabil will guide you around the Botanic Garden following the ‘Dyes from Plants’ garden trail.

Nabil is a professional artist and visiting tutor to the University of Cambridge, and Artist in Residence at Cambridge University Botanic Garden. Nabil is known globally throughout the Art Conservation industry with insight into organic dyes and paint. He has delivered many creative projects across England and was selected by an international committee to exhibit at the Florence Biennale in Italy. His workshops have been celebrated at the Ferens Art Gallery, Firstsite Gallery, the Fitzwilliam Museum, the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter at the University of Oxford, the Prince’s Drawing School and the Lycee Francais Charles Lepierre in Lisbon.