SILK PAINTING

Marlene Page-Instructor

Welcome to the wonderful process of painting on silk.  Today will give you an introduction to dyes used, silks and some different techniques.  Listed below are a brief outline of dyes, silk and the methods I use in silk painting.

DYES

The best dyes for silk are fibber reactive dyes, available in liquid or powder form.  Fibber reactive dyes react to and become a part of any natural fibre (i.e.: - silk, cotton, wool or rayon).  The result is a luminous colour which, unlike fabric paints, is within and not on the fabric.  Fibre reactive dyes must be “fixed” (made permanent).  This can be achieved by a variety of means.

  1. By heat.  The completed piece is rolled securely in fabric or newsprint paper and steamed in a large container to set the colour.  Some dyes are available that can be heat set with an iron.
  2. By the addition of an after-fix.  The piece is finished, then painted over with a thickened chemical solution to set the colour.
  3. By the addition of chemical water.  An acid of alkaline-based chemical water is added to dye before painting.

CHEMICAL WATER.

Chemical water is a solution, which is either acid, or alkaline based.  Diluting soda ash (a type of salt) creates alkaline-based chemical water in water.  Acid based chemical water is created by diluting mild acid (ascorbic) in water.

Fibre reactive dyes mixed with chemical water begin an immediate process whereby dye molecules bond with the fibre.  Once the dye and chemicals are combined, the dye must be used within three hours.  Beyond that time, the dye is “exhausted” (no longer able to react with the fibre).

The ratio for mixing diluted dye to chemical water is 1:1.  This means that dye colours can be mixed to create new colours, diluted (by adding water or dilutant) to various shades and then mixed 1:1 with chemical water. 1 Teaspoon of Soda Ash to 1 Cup of water.  To thicken dyes for painting on silk i.e. landscapes etc.  Manutex can be used or 2 dessertspoons of rice flour to 1 litter of water and made up like old-fashioned custard.

RESISTS

The resist line works as a “fence” to keep the painted dyes from spreading from one area to another.  There are several different types of resist:

  1. Wax (batik).  A line is created using heated (liquid) wax which, when cooled forms a barrier the dye cannot penetrate.  The wax is removed in the final stages of the work leaving a negative line.

  2. Water based Gutta.  An acrylic based resist; soluble (in liquid form) Gutta is available in clear (negative line) or in a variety of colours (leaving a positive line).

  3. Solvent based gutta.  A latex-based resist, soluble in gutta solvent, white spirits or rubber cement Thinner.  This is generally available in gold and silver.

THE PROCESS

The Silk

The silk is stretched on a wooden frame to keep it taut. But not distorted while applying both resists and the dye.  The inside dimension of the frame should be no smaller than the dimension of the silk plus at least 8cm.

Silks are available in many weights
(mummy), weaves and types.  The mummy refers to the number of threads per inch of fabric.  The smaller the number the lighter the weave is.  The silk types most commonly used for silk painting are: -

  1. Habotai  - a silky, smooth texture best suited for intricate of detailed resist work.  Available from 6 to 12 mm.
  2. 2.  Crepe de Chine – nubby texture, difficult for resist work, but hold dye well resulting in brilliant colour.
  3. Silk Twill – has texture and can be used for resist work and colour flows beautifully.
  4. Silk Paj is also used this is a very light weight silk, good for scarves wall paintings(small)

The Design

When a specific design is desired it can be drawn free-hand onto the silk or traced from a pattern placed under the silk using a water soluble transfer pen, a soft pencil or water soluble pencil.  These are guidelines for resist.                

The Resist

The resist is applied with a metal-tipped applicator bottle using firm and steady, but gentle pressure on the fabric.  All resist lines must be unbroken and must completely permeate the fabric.  Any line breaks must be filled.  A dye will seep through the tiniest of gaps.  Metal tips come in different sizes; I use from 5 to 7 at present.

The Dyes

The dyes mixed with chemical water are applied to the fabric using a soft brush.  It is not necessary to use a painting motion but to touch the brush to the fabric and let the dye seep from the brush to fill each area from its center outwards towards the resist lines.  This greatly reduces the risk that the dyes will “bleed” from one area to another.
After dyeing the fabric, the dyes must be allowed to set for 48 hours to allow for the maximum absorption of the dye into the fiber.  The fabric is then ready to be set by the method recommended by the dye manufacturer. 

After the setting of the dye the fabric is let rest for 48 hours and then run under cold water to remove surplus dye, when it runs clear it can be washed in cool water with a few drops of hair shampoo or a gentle wash, rinse and add white vinegar in the final rinse this brings even more of a sheen to the silk.

I place smaller items in a clean towel and roll up to absorb moisture and then iron dry.  Larger pieces can be dried on a line but best results are if you iron it while still damp.

RECOURCES

Silk Wholesalers –21 Blake Street, Bedfordale W.A. 6112 Phone/fax 08 9399 7108 email silkwholesalers@iprimus.com.au  website www.silkwholesales.com.au

The Silk Co., 448 Greenhill Road, Linden Park. S.A, 5065  P/F 08 8379 9064 email deane@chariot.net.au

R.G.Elsegood(Sales) P/L, 8 Little Queen St., Chippendale NSW 2008.   Tel 02 9319 2266

Silksasional  www.silksational.com.au
Phone 02 97566554    Sylvia Riley Dyes and Silk

Dyes

Jackson’s Drawing Supplies, Dyes, gutta, nibs. Western Australia.

Emtex Handicrafts, 9 Sevenoaks St., Bentley WA 6102  Phone 08 9356 2392
Freecall 1800 199 640 Silk dyes (heat set) and gutta.

Kraftkolour, 107 Plenty Road, Preston, Victoria, 3072,  Phone 03 9484 4596
email info@kraftkolour.com.au, website www.kraftkolour.com.au Silk and Dyes.

Elliot, Fay and Paul Good,9Interdec Australia p/l, P.O. Box 434 Marleston BC. S.A. 5033 Phone 08 8371-4100, Fax 08 8371-4142, email interdec@internode.on.net

Blatik 0etoro, 8/9 Arnhem Close Gateshead NSW 2290 Australia,
Phone +61 2 4943 8808, Fax +61 2 4943 8841
Website www.dyeman.com

Silk & Threads - Coleen Weston –03 54263322   Has Dupoint and other dyes sells in smaller lots.

Home | Products | Tutorials | Testimonials | Contact Us | Links