Botanical Alchemy: Exploring Extraction Methods for Natural Dyes and Lake Pigments

Dye plants are remarkable factories of color, biosynthesizing a rainbow of hues for natural dyers, inkmakers, and lake pigment lovers. How do we make the most of these natural resources, eliciting the broadest range and maximum yield of color? Join Natalie Stopka for a five-day exploration of dye extraction methods utilizing plants from the dye garden and beyond. Inspired by recipes from historical dye works and pigment manufacture, we’ll undertake a case study of four plants and four extraction methods: digestion, decoction, fermentation, and tincture. Learn which methods are suited to which plants, and how extraction methods influence dyeing and laking procedures. Participants will leave with a laboratory notebook (provided) documenting our 16+ extractions utilized as dye and pigment, and a personal project: ink, paint, or dyed fibers to fold into their own studio practice. They will also take with them the knowledge to extrapolate our analysis and findings to other plants in future.

Some prior experience with dyes or pigments preferred.

Skills and Techniques:

• Chemistry for artists: dye colorant categorization and pH explication
• Exploration and analysis of plant pigments using DIY chromatography
• Case study extracting 4 plants by decoction, digestion, fermentation, and tincture
• Swatches of 16+ extractions utilized as dye and pigment, organized in our laboratory notebooks
• Riveting stories from the history and artistry of color manufacture, from the medieval scriptorium, dye works, and alchemist’s laboratory, up to the present day

Materials Fee: $60 paid directly to the instructor.

Special Tools or Equipment to bring: Apron and laboratory notebook will be provided. Participants may bring up to 100g of natural fibers or paper for a personal project; contact Natalie with questions about optional materials you might like to explore.

Workshop and Cancellation Policies: Please be sure to read our 2026 policies before you register for a workshop: https://www.sanbornmills.org/workshop-policies/ 

Housing for this workshop is limited. Please email karen@sanbornmills.org for more information