Soil Painting for Folk Tales

Turn soil into paint, then reimagine the folklore of South London’s everyday creatures through art.

Date: Mon March 23, 2026 12:30PM
Location: Ignition Brewery, 44A Sydenham Rd, London SE26 5QX

Overview

In this hands-on workshop, participants will create their own natural paints using a variety of soils collected from across London. By grinding and mixing the earth into different shades, we’ll explore colour, texture, and the unique qualities of place-based materials.

Using these handmade soil paints, we’ll reflect on the everyday creatures of South London, from foxes to hedgehogs and the fairy tales, folklore, or new myths we might imagine about them.

Representations don’t need to be literal. You might suggest the spikes of a hedgehog through expressive brush marks, trace the flight path of a bird, or evoke texture and movement rather than depict the animal directly.

This workshop combines material exploration with storytelling, inviting participants to see the city and its wildlife through a more imaginative lens.

Winter Welcome Workshops are completely free to attend and run on Mondays from 12:30 to 3 PM.