QuiltFest Virtual Schoolhouse #15
Whimsical & Vibrant: Mixed Media Giraffe Portrait
6-Hour Workshop
12 pm – 6 pm EDT, Wednesday, October 14
Mastering Inktense Pencils & Posca Accents with Alessandra Volker
Unleash your creativity and dive into a world of color! Join me for an exciting workshop at QuiltFest Virtual Schoolhouse #15, where we will bring this charismatic, long-necked friend to life.
In this session, you’ll learn how to transform fabric into a glowing piece of art using a powerful combination of tools. Whether you’re a seasoned textile artist or a curious beginner, this class is designed to expand your mixed-media toolkit.
What You Will Learn:
Inktense Mastery: Discover how to use Derwent Inktense pencils to create rich, ink-like washes and stunning gradients that stay permanent on fabric.
Precision & Pop: Learn how to use Posca paint markers to add those crisp, vibrant highlights and fine details that make the eyes sparkle and the patterns “pop.”
Color Theory in Action: How to layer unexpected hues—purples, teals, and fiery oranges—to create a whimsical portrait that radiates personality.
Texture & Depth: Tips on shading and blending to give your giraffe a three-dimensional feel.
Let’s turn a blank canvas into a technicolor masterpiece! Secure your spot and get ready to play with color like never before.
All Levels
Please note: Students will receive a PDF of the class pattern by email. Please print before class.
Students to Provide
To follow along smoothly, please have the following materials ready:
• Fabric: Unbleached Cotton.
• Pencils: Derwent Inktense pencils (focus on a vibrant, colorful palette—box of 24 colors or more).
• Brushes (My Favorites): * Giotto Series 600 & 500 * Flat: #2, #4, and #6
○ Round: #0
○ Optional: Derwent water brushes.
• Markers: White Posca markers (PC-1MR and PC-3M).
• Eraser: Hi-polymer eraser
• Sharpener: Kum sharpener (AS2 or AS2M).
• Tools: Teflon mat or Goddess sheet, battery-powered light box (for tracing), water cup, and paper towels.
• Extras: Notebook for personal notes and an apron (or old clothing).
Important Preparation: > Before our class, please prepare your own color palette on a fabric scrap with all the Inktense pencils you have. If you need guidance, head over to my YouTube channel, Alessandra Volker Studio, where I show you exactly how to create the perfect color swatch!
Details and Registration: https://www.quiltfest.com/register/quiltfest-virtual-schoolhouse-15
My quilts: https://alessandravolkerstudio.com/portfolio
6-Hour Workshop
12 pm – 6 pm EDT, Saturday, October 17
Create a vibrant monarch butterfly on fabric using Posca paint markers—no experience required. In this colorful and inspiring workshop, textile artist Alessandra Völker will guide students step-by-step through techniques for building luminous color, smooth gradients, and striking details that bring this beautiful butterfly to life.
Students will explore how to layer Posca markers to achieve rich, opaque color and create seamless transitions across the butterfly wings. You will also learn how to add subtle shadows and highlights that give the artwork a beautiful sense of depth and dimension.
Through demonstrations and hands-on practice, participants will gain confidence using Posca markers while exploring expressive color combinations and bold mark-making on fabric. The class is relaxed, supportive, and perfect for beginners as well as anyone curious about working with paint markers on fabric.
In this class you will learn how to:
• Use Posca markers effectively on fabric
• Create smooth color gradients across butterfly wings
• Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension
• Build vibrant color layers for a striking butterfly design
By the end of the workshop, you will have made wonderful progress on your colorful monarch butterfly and gained techniques you can apply to many future textile or mixed-media projects.
All Levels
Please note: Students will receive a PDF of the class pattern by email. Please print before class.
Students to Provide
To ensure you have everything needed to follow along smoothly, please prepare the following:
• Fabric: Unbleached Cotton Fabric.
• Markers (Posca): A dynamic assortment is required:
○ PC-3M: Black, white, and various rainbow hues.
○ PC-1MR: 1x Black and 1x White (for extra fine details).
• Pencils (Derwent Inktense): Essential for shadows and tracing:
○ Shadow Colors: Antique White #2300, Dark Purple #750, and Violet #800.
○ Tracing: Inktense Outliner #2400.
• Brushes (My Favorites): Giotto Series 600 & 500
○ Flat: #2, #4, and #6
○ Round: #0
○ Optional: Derwent water brushes
• Tools: Teflon mat or Goddess sheet, water cup, paper towels, and a battery-powered light box (for precise tracing).
• Extras:
○ Eraser: Hi-polymer eraser
○ Sharpener: Kum sharpener (specific models AS2 or AS2M).
○ Notebook for personal notes.
Details and Registration: https://www.quiltfest.com/upcoming-shows-and-events/quiltfest-virtual-schoolhouse-15/
My quilts: https://alessandravolkerstudio.com/portfolio
