The studio · Nairobi, Kenya

Inside the sawdust studio in Nairobi

This is where every Dursty Arts piece is made — a small Nairobi workshop of sifted sawdust, dyed in jars and laid down by hand. Come see it, or watch a piece being built.

Book a studio visit See the artworks

The Dursty Arts workbench in Nairobi with jars of dyed sawdust, sieves and brushes — The workbench — graded sawdust, sieves and brushes always within reach.

Sawdust being sifted through a mesh sieve into a wooden bowl in the studio — Every batch is sifted into fine, medium and coarse grades before it is used.

Studio tools: tweezers, spatulas, fine brushes and a drawn wooden panel — Tweezers, spatulas and fine brushes place the dust grain by grain.

An unfinished sawdust portrait on an easel surrounded by piles of coloured sawdust — A portrait mid-build — the drawing shows until the last layer goes down.

The process

From carpentry dust to finished artwork

1. Collect & sift
Sawdust is gathered from Nairobi carpentry workshops, dried and sifted into grades — fine dust for skin and detail, coarser grain for texture.
2. Dye in small batches
Each grade is coloured by hand in small batches, then dried again so the tone stays true when it is laid down.
3. Draw the design
The image is drawn straight onto the board — proportions, light and shadow mapped before any dust touches it.
4. Layer by hand
Tone by tone, the sawdust is placed and pressed with tweezers and spatulas. Nothing is brushed or printed on.
5. Seal & finish
The finished piece is sealed to lock every grain in place, then edged and prepared for hanging or shipping.

Book an appointment

Schedule your studio visit

Pick a day and time that works for you. Your request reaches the studio right away and is confirmed on WhatsApp or by phone.

Inside the sawdust studio in Nairobi

From carpentry dust to finished artwork

1. Collect & sift

2. Dye in small batches

3. Draw the design

4. Layer by hand

5. Seal & finish

Schedule your studio visit