Create sustainable textile art using earth pigments with Claire Benn.

Claire says that letting go of the outcome is absolutely vital. Module one begins with the fundamentals of raw pigment on cloth.

You'll learn: 

• To think about your source of inspiration and what you want to visually communicate through your art.
• How to choose and prepare cloth that successfully takes earth pigment.
• To process a foraged or bought pigment by hand, from raw material to usable colour.
• Pigment properties, including the pros and cons of working on pre-coloured cloth vs plain cloth.
  

Making your own soya milk from raw beans is the foundation of Claire’s art-making process.  Learn why soya works, and how to pre-size cloth with it.

You’ll learn:

• Why soya milk is the binder of choice – and what makes it more effective than store-bought alternatives.
• How to make soya milk from scratch, on demand, whenever a project needs it.
• How to pre-size cloth so pigment bonds, rather than sitting on the surface, for consistent, reliable results.
• Prepare to make your first batch of pigment paint – affectionately referred to as Soy-Pig.
  

By the end of this module, you’ll have made your own first batch of soya paint.

You’ll learn:

• How to measure and adjust the soya milk-to-pigment ratio to suit your preferences.
• To mix raw earth or synthetic pigments with soya milk to create your own liquid soya paint.
• The importance of colour swatching as a tool for consistency and creative reference.
• Ways to explore the visual and tactile differences between synthetic and earth pigments in the mixing process.
• Be ready to begin your first application experiments – with colour you’ve created yourself.
  

It’s time to paint your first layer of colour with liquid soya paint. You’ll begin exploring application methods, and start noticing how different choices affect the results.

You’ll learn:

• How to apply pigment on both damp and dry cloth, and why it matters.
• To explore the ways drying time, pressure, and cloth texture influence your outcomes.
• To develop your own preferences – from smooth coverage to organic, textured marks.
• To use a surface residue method to ensure nothing is wasted in your early explorations.
• Walk away with your first coloured cloth – and likely, a dozen new ideas to try next.
  

Learn one of Claire’s signature techniques – using “thieves” to draw pigment through the cloth in subtle, unexpected ways. It’s a process that builds on your understanding of pigment weight and reveals the responsiveness of this medium.

You’ll learn:

• How pigment density (or specific gravity) affects how colour moves through cloth.
• To use absorbent resists to deliberately remove pigment, not just add it.
• Gain a second way of shaping a surface, beyond simply painting it on.
• Conduct three to four guided experiments to see how different variables impact your results.
• Understand how environmental factors like humidity can influence your outcomes.
• Discover new ways to create soft, layered effects and organic design elements.
  

Explore how resists hold colour back both above and below the cloth – building contrast and structure into your surface. This is where the versatility of the medium really starts to shine.

You'll learn:

• How to work with different types of resists and understand which ones perform best with soya-based pigment paint.
• Experiment with layering colour and see how resists affect tone, texture, and coverage.
• Explore how Indigo behaves over soy-pigmented surfaces.
• Discover how this method virtually eliminates bleeding – while creating space for cleaner, more deliberate results.
• Add two new surface design techniques to your toolkit using both resists and residue.
  

This is your chance to get outside, explore your surroundings, and let place become an intrinsic part of your work. 

You’ll learn:

• A full toolkit of textural techniques — paste, thickened paint, pigment sticks, fine line.
• How to build a simple, portable toolkit for working outdoors whilst joining Claire on location (virtually) .
• Techniques for picking up surface textures from stone, rusted metal, brick, and more.
• Experiment with layering those textures into your cloth using natural, intuitive methods.
• To layer applications with real depth, rather than a single flat wash of colour.
• Start to think differently about your environment – translating it into mark, shape, and pattern.
  

Explore how to transfer pigment directly from one layer of cloth to another – creating surprising effects that reveal the depth and weight of the medium. It’s one of the most distinctive processes in Claire's practice.

You’ll learn:

• How to use a double stack of cloth to transfer pigment from one surface to another.
• Which types of cloth work best for this method – and the ones to avoid.
• Combine techniques from previous modules to develop your own layered, responsive approach.
• To experience the joy of experimentation – like Claire did when she first discovered this method (she made nine samples in one sitting!)
  

Let’s be honest. It wouldn’t be a Claire Benn course without a section on mark marking! And although we don’t consider this course a surface design course, it’s exciting to know what’s possible with Soy-pig paint. Learn about coverage and opacity, how to layer with intention, and the variables that change your outcome.

You’ll learn:

• To let loose, experiment and play using a wide variety of mark-making tools.
• See the similarities your Soy-pig cloth has to paper and learn to exploit the benefits.
• How to thicken soya milk into a paste to make thickened soya paint.
• To relish in the amazing results when it comes to working with fine lines, thermofaxes and silk screens.
  

Now the wet processes are done, Claire walks you through the final steps of preparing your cloth – post-size and cure. Understanding exactly how each choice affects the finished surface makes a big difference in your final artwork.

You’ll learn:

• To decide whether to wash your cloth or leave the pigment as-is.
• About post-sizing: what it is, when to use it, and why it matters.
• To understand curing times and how to test for colour fastness.
• Gain the clarity you need to move forward without second-guessing your process.
  

Move from experimentation to intentional work. Learn Claire's approach to composition, scale, proportion and entering an artwork for exhibition — including the difference between a sample and a piece.

You’ll learn:

• To spend time with your work-in-progress and learn how to assess it with fresh eyes.
• Explore the principles of strong composition: balance, contrast, relationships, cohesion, and content.
• Consider your source, subject, and intention – and how to reflect that clearly in your design choices.
• See how Claire uses hand stitch to unify and finish her pieces with subtle texture and rhythm.
• Build the confidence to bring all your learning together into one intentional piece – or a series of works uniquely yours.
  

Knowing how you finish and present your work matters – so you can frame, hang, or send it to a gallery with confidence.

You’ll learn:

• Practical, gallery-ready techniques to display your textiles so they can be seen, shared, and celebrated.
• Explore the pros and cons of various finishing and framing options for textile art.
• How to stretch your work around a canvas and mount it in a box frame.
• Discover Claire’s approach to backing, storing, and preparing your work for professional presentation.
• Gain the tools and knowledge to hang or exhibit your pieces proudly – whether it’s in a gallery or your own space.
  

To end your course, Claire invites you into a simple, meaningful ritual – a learn-and-burn gratitude ceremony. It’s a reminder that nothing is wasted, and that time spent learning, experimenting, and exploring is always time well spent.

You’ll learn:

• Reflect on your creative journey so far – what you’ve tried, learned, and what’s shifted.
• Embrace imperfection as part of the process.
• Mark the end of the course with intention, gratitude, and space to let go of what didn’t work.
• Leave feeling clear, encouraged, and ready to keep creating art.