Thinking Through Color: Natural Dyes on Wool with Lesley Darling

Textile Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota
November 5–8, 2026

Experience the infinite world of natural dyes and color theory in this process-based, exploratory workshop with guest teaching artist Lesley Darling (she/her).

Expand how you work with color in any media you practice. Learn foundations of color theory and optical blending, and how to apply these concepts to natural dyeing on protein-based fibers. Blend color samples of roving, locks, and fibers with hand cards to spin or felt based on your interests. Make samples of blending naturally colored wool with osage, madder, and other natural dye extracts to see the effects of using a variety of fleece colors. Experiment with different types of fiber including multiple wools and silks to see how luster modifies shade. Participants will be working primarily with wool fibers, but concepts can be applied across diverse art practices. Lesley will discuss how to make adaptations to other areas of art and making.