Seasonal Botanical Dyes Workshop - Camden Art Centre
Type
Courses & Workshops
Format
In the Building
Date 11 Jul 2026
13:00-17:00
Price £49
Book

Learn how to make natural dyes using local, seasonally foraged materials, in this one day workshop.

Inspired by the seasons and permaculture principles of re-use and zero waste, join artist Johanna Tagada Hoffbeck to learn the basics of natural dyes and reveal a palette of colours from British-grown and local and seasonally foraged material, including mugwort.

This spring edition of our popular Introduction to Natural Dyes Workshop will unfold in Camden Art Centre’s garden, offering a moment to relax, observe, and draw its plants and trees, with the aim being to develop a holistic understanding of how materials grow.

This workshop is directly inspired by the method Johanna employs in her own practice. Johanna will also share her experience of growing and foraging plants responsibly, as well as using plant-based kitchen waste as dyes.

All materials, including a small reference library for inspiration and an organic tea break, will be provided.

This is a beginner friendly, adult-only workshop and the method you will learn can be repeated at home.

This workshop includes:

• A 15-minute drawing session.
• A short history of natural dyes.
• Demonstration of the creation of three colours using natural dyes.
• Knowledge of how to safely repeat the process and create natural dyes at home.
• Two natural dye samples.
• Basic fabric knowledge.
• Knowledge of non-toxic mordants.
• Ground understanding of what tannins are.
• Basic knowledge of plants which can be safely and responsibly foraged in England as natural dyes.
• Knowledge of a selection of plants that can be grown in small home gardens in England for natural dyes.
• Inspiration for natural practices and fabric care
• A selection of books and natural dye samples to consult

Header and portrait photograph of Johanna Tagada Hoffbeck by Aloha Bonser-Shaw for TOAST, 2023.

The Artist

The Artist

Johanna Tagada Hoffbeck (b. 1990, France) is a transdisciplinary artist based in rural Oxfordshire. Her practice, rooted in ecological awareness, spans painting, sculpture, photography, publishing, horticulture, and participatory projects.

Johanna’s work expresses care and tenderness, reflecting on the fragility and beauty of life. Recent solo exhibitions include Dreaming About Tomorrow at Nidi Gallery, Tokyo (2022). Group exhibitions include Soil at Somerset House, London (2025), The Equal Right to Live and Blossom at Kate MacGarry, London (2024), One Foot in the Sky at Contemporary Sculpture Fulmer, UK (2023), and Edge Effects at Whitechapel Gallery, London (2024).

Johanna tends two allotment plots in rural Oxfordshire, where, inspired by natural farming and following veganic permaculture principles, herbs, vegetables, fruits, flowers, dyes, and medicinal plants are often grown from organic seeds. She has learned about Natural Dyes during her childhood in rural Alsace (France) from her grandmother and later while living in India and travelling to Japan. For over a decade now, Johanna has focused on exploring botanical dyes on reclaimed cellulose fabrics in several of her art projects, of which the series ‘Penser, Manger, Partager’ is perhaps most well-known. Johanna continues to learn and explore natural dyes in England and during her travels.

In addition, Johanna founded the collaborative initiative The Gardening Drawing Club and Poetic Pastel Press. She is the cofounder of the printed publication series Journal du Thé – Contemporary Tea Culture. She has organised and facilitated workshops and learning programs for adults and children at multiple British art institutions, including Camden Art Centre.