Abstract watercolor painting with vibrant colors including orange, blue, green, yellow, and black, on a white background.

From Line to Flow: An Ink Workshop (3 hours)

March 4th 6:30-9:30pm

The Cotton Factory

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From Line to Flow is a relaxed, hands-on ink workshop held in the beautiful historic setting of the Cotton Factory in Hamilton. This three-hour session offers an inspiring introduction to the expressive and unpredictable world of ink, designed for both beginners and experienced artists who want to explore new materials, loosen their process, and enjoy a creative afternoon in one of Hamilton’s most iconic art spaces.

The workshop begins with traditional pen and ink, focusing on line, mark-making, and texture. Students will learn how simple tools can be used to build form, depth, and atmosphere, and how drawing with ink encourages a different way of seeing and responding compared to pencil or paint. Rather than working toward a single finished piece, the emphasis is on exploration, observation, and developing confidence with the medium.

A group of people gathered around a large table, engaging in a painting workshop, with art supplies scattered on the table, and a man taking a selfie in the foreground.
People sitting around a large table engaged in an art or crafting activity, with various supplies such as paints, brushes, and paper spread across the table in a well-lit room with white brick walls and large windows.

As the session unfolds, students will experiment with a variety of ink types and substrates. This includes working with different papers and synthetic surfaces to see how ink behaves across textures, absorbency, and transparency. You’ll explore layering, bleeding, pooling, and controlled accidents, discovering how materials themselves become part of the creative process. This section of the workshop encourages curiosity and play, allowing each participant to find their own visual language through experimentation.

The final part of the workshop moves into expressive abstraction using alcohol inks. This is where colour, fluidity, and chance take the lead. Students will learn basic techniques for working with alcohol inks, including movement, blending, and creating organic forms through controlled flow. The goal is not perfection, but presence,  responding to what the ink is doing in real time and allowing unexpected results to guide the work.

Colourful abstract ink painting on a window in front of a blue sky and a building.

Throughout the workshop, the focus remains on process over product. This is not a rigid technical class, but a supportive, relaxed environment where participants are encouraged to explore, take creative risks, and enjoy the meditative qualities of working with ink. There is no pressure to “get it right”,  instead, the workshop invites you to slow down, observe, and trust your instincts.

From Line to Flow is held at the Cotton Factory in Hamilton, a historic industrial building that has become one of the city’s most vibrant creative hubs. Surrounded by artists’ studios, natural light, and a strong sense of community, the setting itself becomes part of the experience.

This ink workshop is suitable for all skill levels. Beginners will gain a strong foundation in ink techniques, while experienced artists will benefit from a fresh, experimental approach to materials. All materials are provided, and students will leave with multiple completed studies and abstract works, as well as a deeper understanding of how to continue working with ink on their own.

Whether you are looking to try something new, expand your artistic practice, or simply spend a few hours immersed in creativity, From Line to Flow offers an accessible and inspiring way to explore the endless possibilities of ink.

Sign up here