Foraged + Found - Paint Brush Making Lab Workshop (1-day)
Foraged + Found - Paint Brush Making Lab
LOCATION: McGuffey Art Center, 201 2nd Street, NW, Charlottesville, VA
Karen Eide Studios - Studio 22B
March 14, 10-2 PM
$125 | 🐦️ Early Bird: $110 through March 4
Limited to 6 participants for personalized instruction
5 seats remain
Create brushes that make marks you've never seen before! In this hands-on, in-person workshop, you’ll learn how to create one-of-a-kind paint brushes that are functional, decorative, or delightfully wacky. We’ll get down to work—and play—exploring materials, construction techniques, and creative experimentation while making a custom brush from start to finish. Transform found materials—branches, vintage utensil handles, or whatever sparks your imagination—into custom artist's tools. Bristles might be humanely sourced animal hair (horse, dog, cat), sponges, broom bristles, pine needles, or repurposed materials.
A variety of tools and materials will be available in class for brush construction and embellishment. You may come empty-handed however, you are encouraged to bring your own handles and bristle materials. Sourcing personal materials is part of the fun and helps make brushes that are uniquely yours. A suggested gathering list will be sent upon registration.
Depending on the complexity of your brush you can expect to complete 1 - 3 brushes. If time allows, we’ll finish by testing our brushes with inks to explore the marks they make.
Who This Workshop Is For:
This workshop is open to anyone interested in making handmade art brushes for personal use, display, gifting, or pure experimentation. Artists who enjoy mark-making and process-driven work will especially love creating tools that introduce chance, texture, and unpredictability into their practice.
Skills & Techniques:
Some familiarity with hand tools and processes—such as sawing, drilling, sanding, carving, cutting, gluing, wire wrapping, sewing, or basic metalwork—is helpful but not required. Guidance and support will be provided for tool use. This workshop involves standing, moving to various work stations, hand and power tools that involve sawing, drilling, sanding, wire wrapping, and assembling materials. A liability waiver upon registration that you must sign and bring before starting class.
Safety requirements: closed-toe shoes, tie back long hair, no loose clothing, jewelry, or scarves. Required: safety glasses
Details:
4-hour, in-person workshop
Ages 18+
Maximum of 6 participants
Many materials are included. A material list and liability waiver are provided upon registration.
Cancellation & Rescheduling Policy
*Please read carefully before registering
Pre-Workshop Zoom Session - March 12 (optional)
Registered participants are invited to a 30-minute Zoom session one week prior to the workshop. To fire your imagination, we'll discuss materials to gather, ideas for sourcing handles and bristles, what tools and supplies will be provided in class, plus time for Q&A. This session helps you arrive prepared and inspired. The session will be recorded for those who cannot attend live.
Cancellation and Refund Information
• 14+ days before the class: Cancellations are eligible for a full refund if cancelled 14 days prior to the class or workshop.
• Less than 14 days before the class: Cancellations are non-refundable and may not be rescheduled.
• No-shows: No refunds or rescheduling will be provided.
• Weather-related cancellations: Cancellations due to unsafe travel conditions (including but not limited to snowstorms, ice, or severe weather) are eligible for rescheduling, subject to availability.
• If a class is canceled by the instructor, students will receive a full refund or the option to reschedule.
Spring Classes Now Listed! Also see Encaustic Painting and Sketchbook Lab
