Drawing with Plants: natural pigments workshop | with Eirinn Hayhow
This immersive workshop invites participants to slow down and reconnect with the natural world through foraging, drawing, natural pigments, and intuitive textile making.
Course details
Date
Saturday 27 June 2026
Times
1.00pm to 5.00pm
Cohort size
Up to 12 places
Ticket price
£40
Location
The Margate School of Art
Duration
Half day (afternoon)
Overview
The afternoon will begin with a gentle walk through the gardens surrounding The Margate School. Participants will be invited to forage responsibly for fallen leaves, flowers, and botanical materials that will later become both inspiration and creative tools within the workshop.
The session explores plants not only as imagery, but as collaborators, drawing tools, dye sources, memory holders, and living materials that carry stories, healing, and transformation.
After a short break, the workshop will move into an introduction to botanical inks and natural dye processes. Participants will be introduced to a collection of plant-based pigments and inks prepared by Eirinn, while also collaboratively creating a simple dye vat using foraged and naturally sourced materials. Participants will experiment freely with painting, staining, imprinting, and layering botanical marks onto fabric.
No previous experience is needed, only curiosity and a willingness to explore.
This workshop is for anyone with an interest in foraging, natural dyes, ecology and expanding their artistic/textile practice. No previous experience is needed, only curiosity and a willingness to explore.
Each participant will leave with a collection of small textile pieces and wearable patches that can be attached to clothing, bags, sketchbooks, or future artworks using provided safety pins.
● Fabric pieces
● Botanical inks and natural pigments
● Paper and collage materials
● Botanical books and imagery
● Safety pins for patches/creations
Yourself!
Course tutor
Eirinn Hayhow is a biocouture artist, fashion designer, and educator whose work explores the relationship between humans and nature through biomaterials, herbalism, natural dyeing, and ecological storytelling. Her practice combines foraged materials, plant-based processes, and textile experimentation to create immersive works that encourage connection, healing, and environmental awareness.
Her work has been exhibited internationally, including at London Fashion Week and Kew Gardens, and she currently teaches across fashion and textile courses whilst continuing her independent artistic practice.
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Image credit: David Babaian