The Art/Craft of Silk Painting
Decorative Design with Colour Dyes on Silk.
Silk painting can be love at first sight and will grab you once you try your hand at this century’s old craft of design. Decorations on silk go back to the 1800s.
Let's begin to explore:
This art form is ideal for the creative person who cannot draw well but who has an artistic eye and the urge to play around with colour.
There is one big plus with silk painting: a piece of original abstract can be developed by allowing the imagination to flow along with the applied dyes; these dyes are very compatible with the artistic imagination.
The art form of silk painting can be very appealing to a novice painter and every completed art work will be unique because silk dyes blend and mix at random.
Added mediums:
When a specific design is the desired affect, the application of chosen colours can be painted within sections of a design that have been marked out with a pencil and then “Gutta” (a gum-like medium) is applied over the pencil lines. “Gutta” acts as a resist to the dyes and prevents them flowing one into the other. Metallic “Gutta” can be used as a decorative effect to the design.
HINTS:
Silk dyes are versatile; the colour tones are bright and retain this brightness after application to the silk. Good quality silk is advised and this must be stretched taut over a wooden fame, held with thumb tacks. These dyes can be purchased from art/craft suppliers along with added aids such as “Gutta,” Diffusants, and Thickeners ( these eliminate the use of ” Gutta”) Rock salt is a great addition, for when applied onto the wet surface of the painting, incredible splaying of colours occurs, producing unique pattern and design. Good quality brushes are a must.
Two methods to “fix” your completed silk painting:
- Place your piece in a steamer to set certain dyes (information is always supplied.)
- An iron can be used to set your colours by ironing on the back of your finished piece.
By using Instant Set Pigment Silk Dyes, air dry for approximately 24 hours.
Suggestions for you:
This art form can be used to create framed (behind glass) pictures, scarfs, shirts, shawls and many other forms of apparel.
One interesting and different subject is to cut a stencil shape, from card, butterfly, fish, floral and attach a silk painting section behind the cut out shape, here you have a colourful card.
It is hoped you enjoyed this article and that it will inspire and encourage you to dip into the unknown and apply your skill as you discover the delicacy and beauty of silk painting.
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