INTRODUCTION TO MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES FOR PAINTING ON SILK.

I have always been passionate about the idea of sharing my knowledge of art for many reasons. First and the most important reason is I love creative people.  I love to be surrounded by professional artists,  or people who just start to learn the secret of a happy creative life. 

Second reason is when I teach I also learn and sometimes that is the only way to discover something new and develop my own creativity. 

My silk painting workshops at Mountain sage Gallery were a wonderful way to share my passion for art, teach art techniques  and exchange positive energy!

But in my mind I also had an idea to share it with a bigger audience, so time to time I took photos and videos of my creative process.

My last workshop on March 21 was canceled like many cultural events. But my creative potential was not canceled))) 

So I will try to give you an understanding about painting on silk technique known also as Batik  art.

This is will be an online workshop series for people who would like to learn basics of this art.

 

1 WORKSHOP

 INTRODUCTION TO MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES FOR PAINTING ON SILK.

What do you need to create you first painting on silk?

Yes! You need silk! But exist so many different types of silk, how can you choose the right one for your creation?

This is my guid about most popular types of silk for painting and dying:

 

Silk Habotai 5mm

This fabric is a little bit sheer, very soft, good for all silk painting techniques. This silk I advise as a material for beginners because this silk is not expensive to compare to another fabrics.

 

 

 

I use this type of silk mostly for my workshops, but also I have a few scarves  hand-painted on this silk  in my

Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/SvitlanaLysiakART

 

 

The scarves made from this silk is very lightweight, flying, a little bit sheer, but needs be worn with care because the silk fiber is very gentle. 

 

Silk Habotai 8mm

This is a very popular type of silk for painting , specially for silk scarves, this is is not so sheer as Silk Habotai 5, but also soft and lightweight.

Very good silk for students projects.

 

I love to paint on this silk because dyes nicely and easily crosses the material and colors after steaming became very vibrant. Scarves made from this silk has wonderful drape, weight  and so soft.

 

 

I hand-painted this scarf with Poppy flowers on Silk Habotai 8mm ( Painting with Resist)

To see all collection  CLICK HERE

 

 

This scarf created in free-hand technique on Silk Habotai 8mm.

 

Silk Habotai 10mm

This silk is slightly heavier than Silk Habotai 8mm. This silk is good for large silk scarves, wall tapestry, clothing like dresses or shirts.

 

 

Hand-painted silk tapestry I created on Silk Habotai 10 mm. This tapestry made with cotton lining on the back.

 

Silk Habotai 16 mm

This silk fabric is heavier and smooth with a soft sheen.  Wonderful fabric for clothing, silk shawls, home decor like pillowcases. Silk dyes will be a very bright and shiny. You can work in different techniques on this silk. 

 

              

 

This is my latest creation square silk scarf Mandala hand-painted in Batik style on Silk Habotai 16.

 

Silk Crepe De Chine

This is my favorite type of silk. This silk has a very nice texture, very soft with wonderful drape, more heavy than Silk Habotai. Anything you will create from this silk will be wonderful. The perfect silk and for scarves and for dresses. You can buy this silk in few different weights 12mm, 16mm, 30mm.

 

 

I hand-painted this silk neckerchief with floral design on Silk Crepe De Chine 12mm.

 

Silk Sharmeuse

This is a really luxurious silk!!!!

One side of this fabric is crepe and other is shiny Satin. This silk is not so easy to paint on and I will not advise for beginners, because this silk require some skills and knowledge. But after some practice you can create a n incredible unique artworks using this silk. The best silk for wedding dresses,  fancy scarves and silk accessories. 

 

 

 

Free-hand painting in watercolor style on Silk Sharmeuse.

 

 

Hand-painted square scarf on Silk Sharmeuse.

 

Silk Chiffon

What a beautiful silk it is!!!

This silk traditionally used for wedding accessories like scarves and dresses.  This silk is a very feminine and elegant, lightweight, sheer, plain weave fabric. 

 

         

Free-hand painting on Silk Chiffon.

Scarf from chiffon fabric drapes and falls into gentle soft folds. 

     

The silk scarf hand-painted on Silk Chiffon.

 

Exist more different types of silk. In my next workshops I will show how can you use it, but my goal today was to show most popular ones. 

Now you probably have a question where can you get these fabrics. In the USA I buying my silk from

Dharma Trading Co  https://www.dharmatrading.com

Also you can find rolled  silk scarves different measurements and made from different silk.

 

I hope I helped you to understand about different kinds of silk and you feel exited to discover the wonderful property this fiber by yourself!!

 

If you have any question please don't hesitate to ask me:

[email protected]

 

To be inspired please check my collection of hand-painted silk scarves:

CLICK HERE

Also to follow my next workshops you may join my mailing list on my website :

CLICK HERE

The topic for my next workshop is Supplies and dyes for painting on silk.

 

Keep creating and see you soon!

Svitlana