Painting on silk

Painting on silk can be used to create both paintings and wardrobe items (scarves, ties, scarves, stoles, pareos,shawls, bags, etc.). You can paint a silk skirt or blouse, make an original curtain or a set of bed linen. Very beautiful will look in the interior of the room a homemade screen with painted silk inserts.

For painting are suitable for almost all varieties of silk fabrics: crepe de Chine, crepe-satin, chiffon, organza, fay, etc. etc. The main thing is that it should be natural silk, not an imitation of polyester or viscose. Beginners are usually advised to use plain light silk of medium density, as it is easier to paint, and the paint on such a fabric will lie perfectly.

Painting on silk is made with special paints for the fabric. In addition to the paints in the kit set for painting onsilk is a diluent for the paint (distilled water or alcohol, depending on the type of paint), contour composition (reserve) and diluent for it, as well as an applicator for paints. You may also need auxiliary tools: a fabric frame, pins or buttons, a soft pencil, natural pile brushes, pipettes, a palette, a spray gun, and the like.

Before you start painting on silk, the fabric needs to be washed. Note that after washing, silk will shrink about2-3 cm per running meter. Therefore, if you are planning to produce a product of a certain size, you need to take this shrinkage into account when buying fabric. After washing, iron should be ironed and stretched on the frame, fastened with buttons or pins.

there is several techniques of painting on silk. You can choose the appropriate technique depending on the desired result (abstract drawing or a clear ornament), and also on what technique is easier for you.

One of the simplest techniques - guta technique, which assumes the use of contour composition. Pulling silk on the frame, apply a contour drawing with a soft pencil (you can draw by yourself or use a stencil). Then the boundaries of the drawing are outlined by the contour composition (the contour must be closed). When the contour dries, you can start painting. The main principle is to go from more light areas to darker ones.

Watercolor technique allows you to get abstract semi-washeddrawings with smooth transitions of colors. Pulling silk on the frame, it is impregnated with water using a brush or a sponge. When painted on wet silk, the paint spreads, which is why smooth transitions are achieved. Watercolor technique is used both to create finished products, and to prepare the background for painting on silk in other techniques. The contour is not used in this technique.

Also for the painting on silk, knot technique, displacement technique and salt technique are used. Each of these techniques allows you to create unusual impressionistic effects.

When painting, be very careful: silk does not suffer patches, so try to avoid accidental splashes or stains. To do this, the brush needs to get soaked with paper from the excess ink before touching the fabric.

Painting on silk necessarily ends with the fixing of paints. Different types of paints are fixed in different ways: steam, using a special solution, a hot iron or just a long drying. If you have never done silk painting before, it is advisable to choose one of the last two kinds of paint.

Painting on silk - a wonderful hobby that allows you to createincredibly beautiful things. Even if you do not reach the level of skill of the Chinese craftsmen, the process itself will bring you great pleasure. The main thing is to have patience and accuracy, and the necessary skills will certainly come with practice.