Talks and Workshops for Groups

As well as teaching in my studio I have talks and workshops that I can bring to you!

Please contact me at admin@leahhiggins.co.uk to discuss and book.

Talks:

My Road to Ruins and Beyond

This talk covers my creative journey from my first patchwork quilt to developing my Ruins series of abstract art quilts and beyond. I constantly update the talk to include my most recent quilts, exhibitions and major events. I bring a selection of quilts with me, including some of my larger pieces.

Understanding Colour

Do you love adding colour to fabric, thread, yarn, or fibre, but find you don’t always get the colours, or results you expected? In 'Understanding Colour' I start by looking at what colour actually is and how we see it. I explores the differences between paints and dyes identifying their advantages and their limitations. I explains how traditional colour theory, developed for paints, must be translated into colour practice when working with dyes and textile. And I look at how primary colours in colour theory are replaced co-primary colours in the real world and what that means for us when we are working with paints and dyes..

Both talks are 45-60 minutes long.

Fee = £150 + 45p per mile fuel allowance + hotel (Premier Inn standard) if overnight stay is required. Non-refundable deposit of £75 required on booking with the remainder payable on the day. I can provide my own projector but do need a screen or wall to project on.

Understanding Colour can also be given virtually via Zoom. The fee is the same for groups of up to 50. It increases to £200 for larger groups.

Workshops:

Colour and Colour Blending (1 day)

A deep dive into colour, and developing colour families, in which you will start your own colour diary and use thermofax screens to print a piece of fabric in your chosen colours.

Using thickened Procion MX dyes and working onto pre-prepared cotton fabric pieces you will create

o Colour wheels between two ‘yellows’, two ‘reds’ and two ‘blues’.

o Gradations from dark to light in individual colours.

o Examples of muddying colours by adding small amounts of black and dark brown.

With support you will isolate two colours in your own source of inspiration, learn to how to blend those colours and how to create your own colour family based on your those colours.

You will also print a piece of pre-prepared cotton fabric using thickened dyes and thermofax screens showcasing your colour family.

I will provide a materials pack, at a cost of £10 per student that includes all the pre-prepared cotton fabrics they will use during the workshop. I will provide a detailed supplies list in advance.

NOTE: The venue MUST have at least one accessible sink suitable for washing screens.

Fee = £350 + 45p per mile fuel allowance + hotel (Premier Inn standard) if overnight stay is required. A £175 non-refundable deposit is required on booking. The remainder will be payable at the beginning of the workshop.

Dyeing to Begin (1 day)

A colourful introduction to dyeing beautiful cloth without mess and without special equipment. It covers:

· Working with Procion dyes – a brief introduction to colour.

· Using exchange dyeing to create a colour wheel of 18 fat quarters.

· Using gradation dyeing in one colour to dye 6 fat quarters that range from dark to light.

· Layered dyeing in containers to create wonderful multicoloured textural cloth.

I will provide a detailed supplies list in advance. Students will need to provide their own fabric or they can purchase it from me.

NOTE: The venue MUST have access to lots of hot water and sinks suitable for washing dye pots.

Simply Screen Printing (2 day)

An introduction to free-form screen printing with thickened Procion dyes. It covers:

· Making and mixing thickened Procion dyes – a brief introduction to colour.

· Using a blank screen to create background.

· Using masking tape and sticky back plastic to create temporary screens.

· Breakdown printing.

· Using thermofax screens with thickened dyes or textile inks.

I will provide a detailed supplies list in advance. Students will need to provide their own fabric or they can purchase it from me.

NOTE: The venue MUST have at least two accessible sinks suitable for washing screens.

Fee = £700 + 45p per mile fuel allowance + hotel (Premier Inn standard) if overnight stay is required. A £350 non-refundable deposit is required on booking. The remainder will be payable at the beginning of the workshop.

All workshops run from 10 am to 4 pm each day. Access to the room is needed from 9am to allow for set up. Maximum number of students is 12 unless agreed otherwise.

I will bring a selection of dyes, textile inks, auxiliary chemicals and screens with me for sale. As well as copies of my books, cards and hand dyed and printed fabrics.

Retreats at Urban Studio North (3, 4 or 5 day)

Alternatively, why not bring your group to work in my studio for a few days? As well as the workshops listed on my website I can tailor a workshop just for you.

The studio will be open from 9am to 5pm each day with teaching hours from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

Fee = £480 per day. A non-refundable deposit of £240 per day is required on booking. The remainder will be payable 6 weeks prior to the retreat.