A NATURAL PALETTE

Creating paints and inks from the plants that grow around you, or waste that you would otherwise throw away, not only reduces the impact on the planet, but can be a very connective experience. There is something enriching about picking up fallen leaves, harvesting flowers and berries and digging up muddy roots, and then soaking them in water to extract their colour. Think of these recipes as a starting point for your own playful relationship with nature’s colour-making materials.

• Roughly 100g of chopped plant material – I’ve used blackberries
• Water
• Cheesecloth
• 1 tbsp gum arabic
• 1 tsp clear white vinegar
• 1 tsp salt

SIMPLE INK

I’ve used blackberries to create this ink – it will result in what’s called a ‘fugitive’ dye colour, meaning that it