Phytogram and Chemigram Workshop: Painting with Chemistry

Discover a new technique for creating beautiful images.



6 hours Class size 1 to 3 guests       £72

Using vitamin C tablets and washing soda, you will learn how to make your very own light sensitive chemistry.
This can then be applied on to light sensitive materials such as 35mm film to create unique prints. This process was discovered by the artist Karel Doing as a way for people to connect with nature more through photography. In the workshop, we will make relief prints using this process with leaves from the Folk House courtyard, after which we will process these using darkroom fixer to make them translucent. We will then use these to create darkroom prints using the Chemigram method.
The Chemigram is a painterly process, which can be applied to light-sensitive materials using Phytogram chemistry, fixer, and resistant materials such as Vaseline. They can seem like images from another world, and often have a very psychedelic feel.
In the second half of the workshop, you will learn how to create your own Chemigrams in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere at the Folk House, and be asked to build up layers using other techniques, such as lumen printing and sabbatier in conjunction with your Phytogram prints made earlier in the session.
Please note:
  • The Folk House has no level access or accessible facilities.
  • You must be aged 18 or over.
What you'll get
All the materials and equipment needed to make your phytographic prints to take home.
Read more details   
What to bring
  • Apron.
  • Objects which can be flattened such as leaves, feathers, materials, textured papers, that you may want to use to make your prints (optional but encouraged).
  • Please bring along any black and white negatives you may want to use.
Location

Bristol Folk House - 40a Park Street, Bristol, BS1 5JG

Phytogram and Chemigram Workshop: Painting with Chemistry location
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Recent reviews of Phytogram and Chemigram Workshop: Painting with Chemistry

  • 5/5 from Anonymised ClassBento customer, attended Feb 2024: The phytogram workshop was a really creative session. No experience was needed and all the materials were provided. Sophie was very welcoming, knowledgable and encouraging. Phytogram is a an inexpensive craft that can be done at home and I am really exciting to do more.
  • 5/5 from Luca Lombardi, attended Feb 2024: This workshop was an amazing experience. I was curious to learn more about the phytogram method and its outcome. Sophie's teaching was enlightening and left me with lots of curiosities which I can't wait to experiment by myself. Really recommend this.
  • 5/5 from Graham, attended Nov 2023: The class was interesting, engaging and enjoyable, and we were able to come away with our efforts. The class was a good size, enabling positive interaction between Sophie, our teacher, and all the other class members. Sophie built up our skills in stages, with varied resources being made available as we progressed. Sophie was clear, approachable and knowledgeable. The outcomes were impressive! And a new skill that can be repeated at home, with minimal equipment required.
  • 5/5 from Catherine Bailey, attended May 2023: Excellent class with clear instructions for making some beautiful pictures. This was a small class of 4 and although we all worked together the variety of pictures was amazing. The class was well paced and we each made 8 images.
Your teacher
Sophie Sherwood

Sophie Sherwood

5.0 (4)

Sophie Sherwood is a Bristol-based visual artist who grew up on the coast of Dorset. Their work has a wide range of subject matter but almost always harks back to their family and home. The work they create involves using light sensitive materials and traditional photography-based techniques, which are done inside and outside the darkroom. They graduated from Plymouth University in 2012 and they have an MA in photography from UWE.




Your host

Bristol Folk House
Bristol Folk House

5.0 (20)
Instagram followers 8k followers

The Bristol Folk House is an adult education centre providing a variety of part-time day and evening courses and workshops for over 18's. The Folk House provides a welcoming environment in which to explore your creativity and learn new skills.
We provide courses and workshops that engage the local community. The cafe provides fantastic organic food and a space to get together before and after classes. It is also open to the public and is the perfect place for those seeking a relaxed and friendly place in Bristol city centre. Live music and festivals happen throughout the year, as well as markets, events and exhibitions.
The Bristol Folk House is part of a charity and we receive no funding from the government, the city council or any other institution and our income is wholly derived from course fees, venue hire, members and fundraising events.
The centre began in the 1870's with the aim of supporting access to education in the community. The first programme of activities was produced for the academic year in 1920-1921.
2026-10-16 15:00:00
class 0 1E57MXLBSX b30fa37a8c654059964d2a78c24cea95 1 production bristol Bristol South West GB bristol