How to Paint a Silk Scarf

Silk scarves can brighten up a dull outfit and can be a great conversation piece. If your intention is to sell your silk paintings, there isn't a better way to display your artwork than by wearing it wherever you go. Get your creative juices flowing and start creating silk scarves for fun or money.

Things You'll Need

• Plain silk scarf
• Silk stretcher
• Gutta or resist
• Paintbrush
• Silk paint
• Fixative

Instructions

1. Draw your design on your scarf with a pencil, or transfer a design to the scarf by taping your drawing on a window and tracing your design onto your silk scarf.

2. Stretch your scarf on a silk stretcher or create your own silk stretcher with stretcher bars, push pins, rubber bands and safety pins. You want your silk scarf to be suspended above the table without touching your frame.

3. Trace the outline of your design with gutta or resist.

4. Decide the color theme you will use for your scarf and prepare your paints before you begin painting.

5. Apply paint to the center of a gutta or resist areas with a paint brush. Paint spreads quickly on silk and the gutta or resist lines act like a barrier for the paint. Remember to blend colors together while the paint is still wet. Once the paint dries, it will leave a line.

6. Set the color with the method recommended on your paint label. Heat, steam, or liquid fixatives will set the paint and make is washable.

7. Wash or dry-clean your scarf and it is ready to wear or sell.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the edges of your scarf are not covered by the silk stretcher. You want your paint to go all the way to the edges of your scarf.

• Lightly wet your scarf before painting to allow the paint to flow more quickly and aid in blending colors and painting larger areas.

Resources

• For information on how to create your own silk stretcher, go to dharmatrading.com.