Sunday 28-30 September, 10-4 p.m.: Short Course: Ecoprint, Block Printing & Rust Printing with Dr Vishal C. Bhand

Beker Studios, 85 Ashby Mews, London SE4 1TB

Join Dr Vishal C. Bhand, Associate Professor at Visva Bharati University and natural dye specialist, for an immersive three-day exploration into sustainable textile design. This intensive short course will equip participants with hands-on experience in three distinct heritage techniques - ecoprinting with leaves and flowers, block printing using natural dyes, and rust printing with metal and tannins.

Each day covers one technique in depth:

Day 1: Learn how to arrange and steam botanicals to create delicate ecoprints.

• Ecoprint pieces (e.g., scarves, fabric squares, paper) 
• Knowledge of scouring, mordanting, botanical selection
• Experience of steaming and pounding techniques
• A take home guide and resource list (local plant use, UK suppliers, online
  references)
  

Day 2: Experiment with traditional wood block motifs and plant-based dye pastes.

•  One printed and dyed item
• Understanding of mordanting, dye extraction, block-print techniques
•  Artifacts: dye test swatches and a curated reference guide
• Insight into sourcing sustainable dye materials (e.g., UK suppliers and wild foraging options)
  

Day 3: Discover how to create earthy, organic patterns through rust and tannin processes.

• 1–2 artworks: fabric rust prints
• Trial swatches: test various methods and modifiers
• Practical understanding: rust, acid baths, tannin use, texture control

You’ll leave with printed samples, a deeper understanding of sustainable materials, and a take-home guide for further practice. This workshop is suitable for all levels and includes daily demonstrations, resource sharing, and informal discussions.

Dr Vishal C. Bhand is an eminent designer‑educator with robust academic credentials: an M.S. from the University of Leeds under the prestigious INLAKS Scholarship, and over two decades teaching at premier institutions including NID and Visva Bharati, where he helped inaugurate the Bachelor of Design programme.

With extensive international exposure, he’s lectured and exhibited across India and overseas, enriching his perspective on craft, design and sustainability. 

As the honorary design consultant at Beej and Co.—a sustainable textiles brand he co‑founded—Dr Bhand integrates traditional techniques like rust & mud‑resist prints, natural dyeing, and ecoprinting. His creative journey focuses on eco‑print methods using local leaves, flowers, bark, and even rusted metal, producing unique botanical impressions on hand‑woven silk, cotton, hemp and tussar.

This marriage of craft and ecology supports artisan communities in Bengal, fostering slow fashion rooted in indigenous wisdom.

Through research, teaching and practice, Dr Bhand champions mindful textile-making—transforming natural resources, seasonal rhythms, and ancestral techniques into wearable art that tells stories of place, time and sustainability.

All materials provided, and all skill levels are welcome. You will leave with an appreciation of three art forms, a collection of hand-printed textile pieces of your own, and the confidence to continue exploring printing at home.

Workshop participants will also have the opportunity to discover a unique collection of handcrafted stoles, kaftans, jackets, and length fabrics, all available for sale during the workshop. Made from natural fibres like cotton, silk, and wool, each item is handwoven and dyed or printed using traditional, eco-friendly techniques. These pieces reflect a deep respect for craft, sustainability, and individuality. No two items are alike—each carries its own story, texture, and character. Whether you're looking for a statement garment or beautiful fabric to create your own design, this curated selection offers timeless elegance. 

Event Cancellation Policy
All bookings are non-refundable. However, if you let us know that you are unable to attend an event you have booked at least two weeks before the event, we will open up your place. If we find another participant, you will be offered a credit note.

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