Painting on Silk with PJ Cobbs

Silk painting is an ancient art for that results in bold, colorful art on fabric that can be worn or displayed. For this course, students will learn how to prepare silk for painting, techniques to realize their artistic vision, and how to set for permanence.

The six-week course includes:

 Learning the unique materials used for silk painting;

preparing and stretching the silk for painting;

drawing with resist--the Serti (French) technique;

creating and transfering designs onto the silk;

applying paint to the silk to keep within the resist lines

painting without resist using No-Flow;

using water to create shadows and shape;

using salt for special effects

wax techniques (demonstration)

layering designs for depth and interest

Using metallic paints for decorative finishes

Treating the silk for permanence with heat-setting (silk paints) and steaming (silk dyes)

Finishing your art for wearing or display.

Supplies:­

My favorite source is Dharma Trading http://www.dharmatrading.com. They have a wide range of silk painting supplies at the best prices.  ­­­­­­Some items can be ordered through Michaels.com or Dickblick.com.

Purchase:

Silk Painting Starter Kit, includes: Resist (a gummy liquid used for drawing and outlining; once dry, the paint flows and stays within the lines); Silk paints; brushes (your own white bristle round brushes can be used too; thumbtacks (for stretching the silk); 11"x11" handkerchief and 8"x54" silk scarf); silk salt (for special effects).

OR: for more experienced painters who want to try steaming or dye-setting, Jacquard Silk Colors (Green Label) Starter Set, with water-based resist. *Note that silk, thumbtacks ­­­and special-effects salt are not included in this kit, so purchase separately.*

ALSO:

1 yard 10mm Silk Habotai (Chinese silk), 45" wide

Jacquard No-Flow--prevents paint from spreading on the silk for a dry-brush effect­.

12"x12" stretched canvas for stretching silk and mounting as art (Michaels has them in a 5 pack)

Rubber bands and safety pins (for stretching the 8" silk to the 12"x12" stretcher--the scarf will be painted in sections);

Disappearing Ink Marking Pen (used for drawing design onto the silk; disappears with water); OR soft #2 pencil or transfer pencil

­­ Black/dark permanent marker: for drawing design to be traced onto the silk

masking tape (to tape drawn design under silk)

 Paint palettes

 Blank newsprint sheets or square paper towels: for cleanup and practising painting

water cups

Optional:

Fabric crayons by Pentel. Set by ironing with layers of newsprint until all traces of wax disappears

Metallic fabric paint: for decorative finishes. Lumiere gold paint by Jacquard gives the boldest colors

Wax pot for wax techniques on silk: I will demonstrate this option, but it is not required. But fun!