Workshop | Flour Paints with Local Works Studio

Local Works Studio developed their flour paints recipe for the canvas walls within Sarah Price’s ‘Nurture Landscapes’ Garden at Chelsea Flower Show 2023, evolved from the traditional Scandinavian ‘Falu-Red’ paint. Made by cooking the simple ingredients of water, flour, linseed oil and natural earth pigments, this paint is used to protect exterior softwood timbers such as fences and garden sheds.

In this practical and beginner-friendly workshop, you’ll learn how to cook sample batches of flour paint using a variety of pigments and apply these to secondary construction timber (rough sawn softwoods salvaged from deconstruction) and UK-grown softwoods. Throughout the process of cooking and painting, attendees will learn about the history, provenance, and technical performance of this recipe. There will also be opportunities to compare using pigments sourced from plants, waste materials and sub-soils.

 About flour paints

• Preparation: Easily made at home, using natural non-toxic ingredients.
• Application: 2-3 coats protects rough-sawn softwood for up to 10 years minimum. If reapplied within this timeframe, it can last a further 20 years.
• Benefits: Safe, affordable and non-toxic paint that does not emit any VOCs or contain micro-plastics. Low environmental impact owing to natural, abundant ingredients. Protects softwood and makes possible use of sustainable UK timber externally.