Laura Thomas Design & Colour, 2026

All was quiet! We were immersed in our own world of colour, following Laura Thomas’ gentle instruction to notice what attracts (or repels) us, and to keep asking ‘why?’ Laura Thomas is a professional weaver and educator; it was a fantastic workshop!

After introducing ourselves, we gathered around Laura to see what we would create first. It was a ‘mood-board’, a collage of torn out magazine pictures, fabric scraps, paint chips, twists of yarn and coloured papers. Laura showed us several mood-boards she’d created for her projects, explaining why she makes them and showing us how her colours relate to each other on the boards. We brought along our own supplies, but Laura had two suitcases and stacks of containers of materials for us to use as well. We selected a few and started arranging our favourites on our boards. Laura visited each of us in turn to discuss our progress and offer advice, countering any self-criticism with encouragement and a little thought-provoking validation.

Next, we created multiple sketches from small, isolated areas of colour on our boards. Laura showed us her sketches, and then used watercolours to demonstrate how she achieved them. She also pointed out that exploring colour relationships (“pushing the palette”) could be done using any medium. We returned to our own sketchbooks with a new, redirected focus and again Laura visited each of us to help us along.

The final task, which was optional, was to make yarn wraps. These were extensions of our sketches. Laura showed us some of hers, which ranged from simple ‘around and around’ wraps to more complex ones that crossed in different directions to create more blended colour effects. There was an ample supply of yarns and narrow boards on hand, and we were encouraged to take home as many as we wanted to further develop our ideas. Laura explained that this was important to do, as the first palette sketches were often obvious but more interesting, uniquely personal palettes would surface with further exploration.

Throughout the workshop, Laura encouraged us to always notice what catches our attention, what makes us take a second look, and she motivated us to express that interest by incorporating it - whatever ‘it’ is - into our own art practice. Laura Thomas is a professional weaver, but this stimulating workshop was useful to anyone who creates with colour and wants to develop their own unique ‘voice’ in their craft. Review written by out member A. Hennessey.