Walnut Ink Making with Betsy Renfrew

Learn how to make walnut ink from boiled walnut hulls and use dip pens, sumi brushes and natural implements to create ink and wash drawings inspired by patterns from nature. Leaves, vines, spiderwebs, seed pods and branches will be our inspiration as we draw on sheets of paper or sketchbook journals. Walnut ink has been used in the drawings of Rembrandt and Van Gogh and is perfect for creating layered tones built up of washes and cross hatching.

What you will learn/make: participate in making walnut ink, use walnut ink with pens and or brushes, and make several drawings/studies of natural objects using walnut ink.

Materials we will provide: pens, brushes, Bristol board paper, walnut ink and natural materials from our campus.

OPTIONAL Materials you can bring: Latex gloves, 8 oz. glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, such as a Mason jar, rags, favorite drawing tools to try out with the ink, and sketchbook type journals.

Instructor: Betsy Renfrew is a CAN-NC Campus artist who loves upcycling old things and transforming them into new and exciting art. She has worked with diverse populations and encourages individuals to move at their own pace.

Date Friday November 14, 2025 1:00 to 3:30p.m
Cost: $35:00