The Science of Color: Natural Dye Experiments
Explore our natural dye research lab in Mysore, where we turn plants and minerals into vibrant, non-toxic colors through hands-on experimentation.
Let's make life beautiful, one shade at a time. These yarns, dyed with our natural colors, showcase the soft, earthy, and vibrant palette that can be achieved using only plants and minerals.
The color lab is a place of constant discovery. These are swatches from student experiments, testing different combinations of natural dyes to create a unique and personal color palette.
A closer look at fabric swatches from our dyeing experiments. Each piece is carefully labeled, documenting the process and allowing our students to learn how different natural dyes interact with each other.
More beautiful results from our color lab. Students experiment with various natural dyes like madder, indigo, and iron to create a spectrum of yellows, greens, and earth tones on fabric.
The rich and varied palette of natural dyes. These swatches show the beautiful range of reds, oranges, and purples that can be achieved from plant-based sources like madder root.
Every swatch tells a story of experimentation and learning. Our students meticulously document their process to understand the science behind achieving consistent and beautiful results with natural dyes.
This beautiful portrait by Mysore artist Adrika was painted using our newly developed range of natural oil-based colors, perfect for working on canvas.
The possibilities with natural dyes are endless. These student experiments showcase a range of green and yellow hues, created by combining different plant-based dyes and mordants in our lab.
We are excited to introduce our range of oil-based natural colors for artists. Available in a variety of shades, these paints offer a non-toxic, sustainable alternative for canvas painting without compromising on quality.
About The Science of Color: Our Natural Palette
In our lab, every swatch is documented with the precise date and mix—like Iron plus Indigo or Madder plus Alum—so you do not have to guess the outcome. We provide the space and the logs for you to build your own repeatable color recipes, whether you are working with textiles or our new natural oil-based paints.
Natural dyeing is not just about the finished garment; it is about the chemistry, the patience, and the trial-and-error process that happens before the final dip. At our Hebbal studio, we have built a color lab designed for both beginners and experienced designers to experiment without the toxicity of synthetic alternatives.
When you join us, you gain access to the same resources we use daily. This includes stainless steel immersion vats, gas heating stations for mordanting, and the space to test complex color combinations. We encourage members to maintain their own lab notebooks, tracking variables like fabric type, dye concentration, and heat duration, which is exactly how our team developed our unique, plant-based oil colors for canvas artists.
If you are looking to move beyond simple hobby kits, our space allows you to scale your production or refine your artistic technique. We provide the infrastructure for large-format block printing and screen printing, along with the support of a community that understands the nuances of local mordants and mineral-based dyes. Whether you are aiming to start a sustainable clothing line or simply want to understand the science behind how a vibrant yellow comes from a humble plant root, you will find the tools and the mentorship here to make that happen.
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