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Screenprinting with Lake Pigments
December 20, 2025 @ 10:30 am - 1:30 pm
$211.00A 2-Day In-Studio Workshop!
Saturday and Sunday, December 20-21, 10:30am–1:30pm
View our current in-studio Health and Safety and Cancellation Policies >>
About this Workshop:
In this two-day workshop, students will learn how to create a lake pigment with natural dyes. A lake pigment is an insoluble liquid that is produced when a natural dye is combined with a metallic salt. The resulting medium can be used as ink or paint, and incorporated into the artist’s practice. This workshop is perfect for dyers who want to get the most out of their dye baths, or for printers who want to learn how to make their own naturally derived inks.
During the first class we will spend our time prepping our designs and silkscreens for exposure. Students will also be led through the process of creating their own lake pigment by using either marigold, logwood, or madder (or a combination!) dye. We will observe the various stages the lake pigment goes through, and at what stage the lake pigment is ready to be used for art making. On the second day we will use our time together to screenprint our images onto paper and explore other ways the lake pigment can be applied to the working surface. Students will leave this workshop with a stack of prints and the knowledge to make and process their own lake pigments.
Level: Intermediate – Introduction to Screenprinting or similar experience (6 hours) with basic screenprinting techniques is recommended but not required.
Registration closes December 13, 2025. Material fees are included with your registration to cover the supplies provided in class. Students will need to gather/purchase additional materials for class (see the materials list below). This list will also be provided with the registration confirmation email.
Sample images by Nilou Kazemzadeh
CLASS MATERIALS LIST:
Registration includes a $50 materials fee to cover consumable materials provided in class, including natural dyes, paper, washing soda, gum arabic, and printmaking paper. In addition, students should bring:
- A personal apron (we’ll have extras) or wear clothes that can get inky
- Images to work with (sketches, photographs, patterns). The instructor will provide more information upon registration
- (optional) Personal apron (we’ll have extras) or wear clothes that can get inky
- (optional) An assortment of purchased stencils, carved rubber stamps, random kitchen tools, carved wooden blocks or silkscreens ready to use for printing and texture if you have them.
- (recommended if you want to keep your image after class) Personal silkscreen, at least 20”x24”. A new 20”x24” can be purchased through Pyramid for $30 – contact us if interested.
- (optional) Paper from your personal stock—any handmade or decorative options you’d like to try printing on
YOUR INSTRUCTOR:
Nilou Kazemzadeh is an Iranian-American artist based in Maryland. She attended the University of Maryland College Park where she completed her BA in Studio Art and Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. Her work has been shown in various galleries in the DMV area including Katzen Art Center, Maryland Art Place, Target Gallery, and IA&A Hillyer. Her work has been reviewed and included in various publications, including the Washington Post and Baltimore City Paper. In addition to being an artist, she also currently works as a public school teacher in Montgomery County. Learn more about her work at niloukazemzadeh.com.