How to Paint Batik
Batik means "writing with wax," and is a method of decorating fabric by painting it with hot wax. While the wax design retains the underlying color of the fabric, the rest of the fabric can be dyed with dramatic colors. A striking contrast results between the fabric that has not been dyed and that which has. In the 1200s, batik evolved into an art form on the island of Java. Upper-class women would paint elaborate designs with flower and bird themes. Often the best designs in batik result from improvisation. You should feel free to experiment and add to your design while you paint.
Things You'll Need
- Old white sheet
- Scissors
- Candles (one with beeswax)
- Double boiler or chafing dish and boiling ring (fondue setup)
- Paintbrush
- Cold water dye with fixative
- Charcoal or pencil
- Old picture frame
- Drawing pins
- Plastic pegs for drying
Instructions
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1
Cut a white sheet into a piece of fabric that you can paint.
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2
Sketch your batik design on the cloth. Trace around household objects, such as cups and saucers, to create a geometric design.
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3
Stretch the cloth across the frame. Fasten the cloth to the frame with drawing pins. Prop the frame with a small cardboard box or book so that the cloth is easier to paint.
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4
Put the wax in the double boiler. Heat until the wax bubbles gently. Do not heat the wax to the point when it starts to smoke.
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Test the hot wax. Use the brush to paint a scrap of fabric so that it penetrates both sides. Check to see if the test fabric is translucent and appears wet. If the wax is opaque, it has not seeped into the fabric.
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Keep the wax next to you when you work. Set it to your right if you are right-handed, and to the left if you are left-handed. This will prevent wax drips.
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Use the paintbrush to follow the charcoal lines of your design on the cloth. Work rapidly and allow the brush to determine the width of your lines. Mix the wax frequently with your brush and let excess wax drip back into the pan before painting.
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Paint daringly. Dip the brush in the pan frequently to renew the wax. Do not go over the same line a second time.
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Create dots by dripping wax directly onto the cloth from a lit candle. Add other shapes to the design if you have the impulse to improvise.
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Unpin the cloth when you have completed your design. Pinch and crumple the cloth to crack and vein the wax.
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Mix the dye with the fixative according to the manufacturer's instructions. Pour the dye into the bath and then immerse the cloth in the bath. Use plastic pegs to hang the cloth. Allow the cloth to drip-dry over a sink or a large bowl. Leave the batik hanging overnight.
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Remove the wax once the cloth is dry. Place the cloth between sheets of newspaper and iron off the wax. Place the cloth in a pan of boiling water to remove the wax if you do not have an iron.
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Soak the cloth in powerful detergent or take it to a dry cleaner to remove all residue of the wax.
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Tips & Warnings
The ideal mixture for batik is 30 percent beeswax combined with 70 percent paraffin. If you progress with your batik projects, you should buy the wax at an arts supply store.
Hot wax is flammable, so do not heat it directly. Insulate the wax pan by using a double-boiler or by putting it in a large pan with 1 inch of water in the bottom. Replace the water while you work.
Do not wring, rinse or dry the cloth with modern devices, such as a blow dryer. This will result in jagged and pale dyeing.
Use a sieve when you drain the dye bath to prevent wax from running into and clogging the pipes.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit girafes sur batik image by AlcelVision from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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v.v. nice
