Introduction to Natural Colour Short Course (Term 3 2026)

What's is all about?

This four-week course is a hands-on exploration of the fascinating world of natural colour. Together, we'll discover the colours hidden within our local landscape while learning about the environmental benefits of creating your own dyes, inks and drawing materials from plants and natural sources.

Throughout the course, you'll experiment with traditional dye plants and extracts such as madder and weld, while developing practical skills that can be applied to a range of creative pursuits including knitting, sewing, drawing, painting and textile arts. You'll also learn how natural dyeing can help breathe new life into clothing and textiles, offering a sustainable alternative to discarding well-loved garments.

Activities include creating dye baths and colour swatches, bundle dyeing, flower printing, drawing with natural materials, and making your own inks and paints. We'll also explore how to establish a simple dye garden at home, giving you the knowledge and confidence to continue your natural colour journey beyond the course.

Suitable for all skill levels, including complete beginners, this course invites you to slow down, connect with nature and experience colour in a whole new way.

Who will be leading the session?

Pen Pender is a self-taught botanical dyer with a background in floristry and gardening. For the past six years, she has been exploring the art of natural dyeing from her home in Macedon, where she tends a thriving dye garden and regularly experiments with colours sourced from plants and flowers.

Passionate about sustainable creativity and lifelong learning, Pen loves sharing the process of botanical dyeing and the beautiful, often surprising colours that can be achieved using natural materials.

Short Course Information (Term 3 2026)

This four week short course will run between Wednesday 12 August and Wednesday 2nd September.

The class will take place between 1pm and 3pm in the Undercroft of the Woodend Neighbourhood House. The room is to the rear of the House, and can be accessed by the path to the left hand side of the House, or via the gates next to the Skate Park, off Margery Crescent.

The cost for the four-week short course is $160.00 per person, with all materials provided.

Please note the short course requires a minimum of 5 paid participants to go ahead. If this minimum number is not reached, a full refund will be provided. The workshop will have a maximum of 10 participants.