Botanical ink making and painting

In this fun and intensive workshop with artist David Begley, we will begin with a brief history of ink and medieval manuscript making, and will learn about pigment sources including plant, insect, mineral, and earth. We will explore oak gall and other tannic inks and learn about acidity and permanent colour. We will grind earth pigments to make ink, and to explore botanical inks, will enjoy painting and drawing exercises.
David will demonstrate how to grind, bind, cook, and transform organic materials into inks using ancient and contemporary recipes.


This workshop is suitable for artists as well as beginners.


Materials supplied, please bring a pestle and mortar!

David Begley is a visual artist, writer, filmmaker and arts educator based on the Wexford coast. He has exhibited his animations, drawings, paintings, monotype prints and films nationally and internationally since 1996. His Ancient Connections artist in residency (Ferns 2020 - 2023) was commissioned by Wexford County Council. This project led to him research, create, and exhibit drawings and paintings in botanical ink in Ireland and Wales. David’s work can be found in the collections of Wexford County Council, OPW, EPA, INTO and Contemporary Irish Art Society. David facilitates ink making and painting workshops for adults at Chester Beatty, Dublin, and The Irish National Heritage Park, Wexford. He is a visiting lecturer at universities in Wexford and Wales. David’s documentary The Keepers (2023) was selected for EKO film festival, Czech Republic, Inheritance Environmental Festival, UK,
and Louth International Film Festival in 2023.