Exploring Colour through Thread & Paintat Mill Tye Gallery and Arts Centre

A Textile Workshop with Helena Powell Date: Tuesday 21 July 2026 Time: 10:00am to 3:00pm Price: £65 per person

How do colours change when they sit side by side?
 How does a palette behave differently when translated from paint to thread?

In this hands-on workshop, textile artist Helena Powell invites participants to explore colour through both thread wraps and gouache paint, offering insight into how colour relationships are built, tested and refined within a textile design practice.

Drawing on principles of colour theory, proportion and interaction, the session focuses on seeing colour rather than assuming it — questioning warmth, tone, balance and contrast. Participants will experiment with placing colours next to one another, discovering how subtle shifts can dramatically alter the overall feel of a palette. Helena will also share elements of her own working process, including how she develops colour ideas across digital, painted and textile-based studies.

The workshop is structured to be accessible and exploratory, making it ideal for those new to textile design, while also offering valuable space for experienced textile artists and designers to slow down, revisit fundamentals and develop more intentional colour decisions within their practice. No previous textile experience is required — just curiosity and a willingness to experiment.

Suitable for:
 Beginners, artists, designers, textile practitioners and curious colour-lovers at any stage

You will leave with:
 – A series of painted and thread-based colour studies
 – A deeper understanding of colour interaction across materials
 – Practical tools to inform future textile or creative work

Refreshments:
 Tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits provided. Please bring a packed lunch.

Access:
 Please note this workshop takes place in the upper gallery, which is not wheelchair accessible. We apologise for any inconvenience.

As Summer Artist in Residence, Helena Powell will be present throughout July and August, working in the gallery space on a live loom. Using locally woven Sudbury silk, she will develop new pieces in situ, offering visitors a rare opportunity to observe the rhythms and intricacies of hand weaving as they unfold. Informal demonstrations will take place regularly, inviting audiences to engage with the material, process and heritage.

Max. 8 spaces All materials will be provided. Places are limited — advance booking is essential.