THE next 'Saturday Studio' event at the Cove Park artists' retreat will take place this weekend.

The event will focus upon one of Scotland's most challenging botanical invasive species: rhododendron ponticum.

This plant threatens rainforests, ancient woodlands, and wild habitats by crowding out smaller plants and spreading a fungus-like pathogen.

Join Paul Cookson from Green Aspirations to learn more about rhododendron ponticum and other invasive plant species as he demonstrates how to chop and prepare rhododendron wood before heating it to create charcoal.

Participants can then use the charcoal for drawing, or turn it into ink and paint.

The day will be split into two sessions: making charcoal from 10am to 12 noon, and creating charcoal drawings from 1pm until 3pm.

Participants may also turn the charcoal into inks and paints. This will be an experimental session to discover the potential of homemade charcoal.

This workshop is free and open to children aged eight and over. Children between eight and ten years of age should be accompanied by an adult.

Feel free to bring a packed lunch and book to take part in both sessions. Register online at tinyurl.com/coveparkrhododendron.