Freestyle Technique
Silk Painting Watercolor Technique: Salt
How to Set up Your Stretcher Bars and Silk
Materials:
Stretcher Bars Rubber Bands Safety pins(silk claws are better) |
Wash your silk with soda ash
Rinse in cold water Lay down the silk in between the stretcher bars Start pinning safety pins and rubber bands from the corners Pin a safety pin every 4 inches. Using pushpins position the silk towards the center Pin and stretch. You make need to make several adjustments until the silk is flat and like a trampoline. |
Using a Resist
Water soluableApplicators with a thin line work best to apply this type of resist.
Gutta is a popular resist and has several colors |
Hot WaxTjanting tools are used to collect wax and apply it to the silk.
Mind the heat Takes a bit of time to get use to the technique As the wax cools it stops flowing As the was is hot it may create drips. Hold at a tilt |
Using Dye
Prepare dye ahead of time so it has time to dissolve properly. Reading the dye instructions on the packaging is best.
Prepare colors ahead of time to create a color palette. Keep Dye in lidded containers. Urea water should be used to thin or create watercolor techniques. Black Procion doesn't work in silk. Try using an acid dye for a good black dye |
Chemical Water:1 Qt water
3/4 c urea (thicken wit sodium alginate if preffered) Soda Ash will reduce the time use. Soda Ash Fixer should be added to aid with fixing. Refrigerate dye |
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Removing Resists
Water solubleFollow directions on the bottle. If the dye needs to be steamed gutta will work well but other processes may not work as well. Rinsing with warm water may be the only way to remove the resist.
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Wax
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Setting and Cleaning
SettingDye should sit for24-48 hrs to set
Steaming sets the dye as well. Using synthropol will assist with rinsing excess dye Rinsing should only happen after set. |
CleaningDry Cleaning is the best way to clean
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