Silk Painting

I teach small groups at my home in Cranleigh, Surrey.
There are many exciting techniques to try, for example:

• Salt
• Tie and Dye
• Gutta outlining
• Spirits
• Batik
• Sun Printing
• Discharge technique

Pictures, garments, scarves and cushion covers all lend themselves to these techniques.

Discharge Paste and a steam iron can be used to "lift-out" colours and create subtle effects.

The image can be transferred to the silk from the drawing by placing the stretched silk directly over it.

The lighter colours of the plant - light greens and purples - were painted frst, then this area was covered with wax.
Then the stronger background colours were applied.

 
After the iamage has been steam-fixed, the excess wax is removed by ironing the silk between sheets of newspaper.
Some people also arrange for the silk to be dry-cleaned

Steam-fix dyes can be used in a similar way to watercolours. 

Surgical Spirits and water are used here to create subtle textures and tones.