PAINTING ON SILK: IN-PERSON SUMMER RETREAT AT ELKHORN MEADOWS
Painting on Silk: An In-Person Workshop Retreat
Saturday, July 26th, 2025, 10:00am-4:30pm PDT
$150
All supplies and lunch included.
Class Description:
Come outside and experience the sensuous experience of painting on silk. In this day long retreat you will learn different techniques for applying dyes and paints to silk. This full day workshop onsite at Elkhorn Meadows, my private residence in North Bend, Washington on acreage in the forest, is in a setting that invites creativity and playful artmaking.
Hurry, Class size limited to 15. Further details about the location will be provided upon registration.
MORNING SESSION: INTRODUCTION TO SILK PAINTING In the morning session you will learn the basics of silk painting including transferring a design to the silk, applying gutta (a resist) and applying color in a number of ways. We will work together on a "community" project on a large frame. A portion of the class will be devoted to making your own large-scale frame at home. Handouts will describe the frame making process as well as how to "set" the dyes and paints when completed. All the materials and tools you need are provided in this workshop. This allows you to experiment and learn without having to purchase the supplies until you are ready to commit to silk painting in the future. The finished project that we create together in the morning session will be raffled at the end of the day for one lucky student to take home.
LUNCH BREAK
After a light lunch served outside under the canopy of a vintage trailer, you will have free time to wander the grounds seeking inspiration for your very own silk painting in the afternoon.
AFTERNOON SESSION: PAINTING A SILK MANDALA In the afternoon session, you will design and paint your choice of a silk circle mounted on a wire frame or small prayer flag. Designs will be provided if you would rather not try to design your own piece and concentrate on the painting. Since this is a new experience for most students, it is important you feel comfortable with the project at hand. You will apply the techniques you have learned in the morning session on a small scale creating a beautiful piece to take home. If time allows you may be able to complete more than one of these smaller scale projects. The techniques you learn in this workshop and the handouts you will receive will set you up for success in your own projects in the future. The process of painting on silk takes time and patience. Steps cannot be rushed. The demonstrations and hands on practice you receive during the workshop will be wonderful building blocks and combined with the printed handouts and you’re your afternoon projects; you will be able to create larger projects on your own later.
Special Bonus: PAINTING A SILK PILLOWCASE:
$115
As a student in the painting on silk workshop, you are entitled to an on-demand class at a special price that includes all the supplies needed to create a silk pillowcase as well as a frame to stretch the pillowcase on that you will be able to put together at home. a limited number of kits will be available during the workshop as well as a QR code that links to an On-Demand Video Tutorial on a first come first serve basis. You may also register for the class and kit prior to the workshop to reserve yours HERE
The class includes the following:
A set of 8 colors of silk dye
Brushes of various kinds
Applicator pen full of resist
14" silk pillowcase blank that comes partially constructed with a pre-installed zipper (which will need to be sewn on the three remaining sides after painting)
Rubber bands and pins needed for stretching the pillowcase in the frame
PVC pipe frame large enough to hold the 14" pillow and other sizes up to the largest available
Complete instructions for frame assembly
An on-demand video tutorial explaining all the steps to completing a silk pillowcase
Reference image and line drawing.
This class is in conjunction with Cloud 9 Art School.