How to Make Fabric Look Water Colored
The process used to make fabric look watercolored is similar to the process used by watercolor artists to paint on paper. Two techniques are employed in both processes: dark-on-light and wet-on-wet. The dark-on-light technique refers to laying darker colors over lighter colors. Wet-on-wet is a technique using wet paint on wet paper or fabric. Controlling the movement of the paint can be a challenge when painting wet-on-wet, and it may require some practice. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Cotton fabric
- Acrylic paint
- Textile medium
- Spray bottle
- Paint brushes
- Small bowls
- Plastic to protect work area
Instructions
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Mix equal parts of acrylic paint, textile medium and water in a small bowl. Each color used will require a separate bowl. The textile medium is used to keep colors from running, and it may thicken the paint slightly. Add more water if necessary.
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Paint the design onto wet fabric with a paintbrush. Rinse the brush thoroughly when changing colors, or use a separate brush for each color.
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Allow the background paint to dry before painting the foreground.
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Spritz the design with water to create subtle effects while painting. Hold a spray bottle at an angle to manipulate the paint. For more control, keep the fabric flat. To create more movement in the paint, place the fabric at an angle.
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Allow to the fabric to air-dry. You can also dry the fabric in a microwave on a low setting.
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After the fabric is completely dry, rewet it and dry it in a hot clothes dryer for 30 minutes to set the fabric.
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Tips & Warnings
Practice on a scrap of fabric until you achieve the desired results.
Allow fabric to dry in the sun or use a blow-dryer for interesting watercolor effects.
Make sure the fabric is free of metal threads or metal rivets before putting it in a microwave.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
