Workshops with Rachel McGivern
We are excited to launch our second season of Live Making Workshops on the @Hello_Towner Instagram account, now led by artist Rachel McGivern. On Thursdays at 2.00pm (18, 25 June & 2, 9, 16, 23 July) join Rachel live on Instagram as she explores our weekly #MakeShiftStudio challenges and delves into recycling bags to experiment with Making as Storytelling…
Thursday 9 July: Shadow Boxes
Download your illustrated guide for this workshop
In Shadow Boxes, Rachel returns to the recycling bag to show us how to make our own recycled shadow theatre and puppets from scrap materials. She shares ideas of how to articulate our cardboard creatures and demonstrates how different lights and staging can really help to animate a story.
You will need:
- Cardboard box (shoebox or larger)
- Scissors
- Sharp pencil
- Ruler
- Sticky tack or old sponge
- Baking paper (printer paper also works)
- Tape
- Scrap cardboard
- Bright lamp or torch
Thursday 2 July: Cardboard Constructions
Download your illustrated guide for this workshop
To make cardboard sculptures, you will need:
- Scrap cardboard
- Scissors
- Pencil
To make papier-mâché clay, you will need:
- A covered surface to work on
- Egg boxes
- A large bowl
- Water
- Salt
- PVA glue
- Tablespoon
- Sieve or a tea-towel
- Masking tape
- Newspaper
Thursday 25 June: Experiments with Colour
Download your illustrated guide for this workshop
In Experiments in Colour, Rachel introduces her own take on a simple paper dyeing technique called orizomagami. Using food colouring and old felt tips, she makes her own water-based dyes. Working with coffee filters, chip shop paper and printer paper, she then demonstrates how to fold and dip to create impressive tie-dye effects. Rachel also shares an easy way to turn these papers into hanging carnival style decorations to brighten up our windows with colour!
You will need:
- Small bowls or dishes
- Felt-tip pens or food colouring
- Water spray bottle or small jug of water
- White coffee filters
- Scissors
- Glue or masking tape
- Hole punch
- String
Thursday 18 June: Poly Pocket Printing
Download your illustrated guide to Poly Pocket Printing
In Poly Pocket Printmaking, artist Rachel McGivern takes us through a simple and effective process to making mono-prints at home. There’s no need for printing inks or a print press for this process, just some felt tip pens, a plastic pouch and a damp sponge.
Rachel shows us how family photos, magazines, packaging and books can all be used to create unique and experimental prints and even shares ideas for developing larger-scale works and using these as storytelling prompts.
You will need:
- Found images (this could be recycled magazines, old books, photos or packaging)
- A poly pocket (or other clear plastic sheet)
- Felt-tip pens
- Tissue
- Paper (this can be scrap paper such as old envelopes)
- A water spray bottle or damp sponge