Exploring New Mediums and Techniques
Recently, I have been exploring a new medium and technique – painting and dyeing
silk.
First one may ask, why explore a new medium or technique? Personally, I enjoy it. Does
that make me a bad artist? To some, it can be overwhelming, and to others, if they sell
their art, they may want customers to recognize their work immediately. I’m not sure if
there is a right or wrong answer.
During my research, I was surprised to find that many artists have multiple styles and
techniques. Even Michaelangelo was not only a famous painter in the Sistine chapel,
but he was also a sculptor and architect during the Renaissance period. Knowing that, I
suppose experimenting is not much of a negative to those who want to dabble with
multiple techniques.
The art world is full of opportunities to create something unique. Many times, finding
something unique is why I’m still “searching” for something new, but I simply enjoy
working with multiple mediums.
One path led me to silk painting and dyeing. The texture of silk is smooth, soft, and
lightweight but silk has an exceptional tensile strength. Silk maintains its shape when
stretched and has elasticity. Its softness comes from fine fibers and a natural protein
structure. I think these attributes drew me closer to silk.
Silk painting is a traditional art form that involves painting on 100% silk fabric, or a blend
of silk and cotton. It is an ancient technique that originated in India and Eastern Asia
around the second century CE. This method of art has been passed down through
generations across Japan, China, Vietnam, and Tibet, to name a few.
The process typically involves stretching silk on a frame, applying a water-based resist
to outline designs, and then filling in the designs with textile paints or dyes. The resist
prevents the paint from spreading beyond the outlined areas, allowing for intricate
patterns and designs. However, I find myself using resist less often than others. I have
noted the techniques I used for each of the photos below and continue to “search” for
the one medium and/or technique for me. I wonder if there ever will be just one.
Here is a list of Silk Painting Techniques – the list continues to grow! This is not an all-
inclusive list.
1. Wet-on-Dry
2. Wet-on-Wet
3. Resist / Gutta (gum-based outliner)
4. Water-based outliner
5. Antifusant / No-Flow – closes the pores of the silk and allows
you to paint it like a canvas.
6. Salt technique
7. Cold Wax for Silk Dyes
8. Ombré
9. Shibori
10. Batik (hot wax)
Here are a few examples of my work using assorted products. I hope you enjoy seeing
them and find a way to experiment with other mediums and/or techniques along your
artistic journey.
I used Color Hue Instant-Set Silk Dyes on Thai silk scarves.
Acrylic paint on silk – painted and lightly quilted.
Here is a sample piece I used to evaluate how silk will quilt. For me - It flows beautifully under my needle.
Shibori dyed silk (and cotton). Shibori and blue are a favorite because the designs are limitless.
Showing more detail of a few of my silk scarves after dyeing.
My painted silk tulips using Karen Sistek’s Technique - MAGIC SIZING® APPLICATION KAREN’S WAY. This piece has been mounted on a canvas frame.
No resist used - Silk dyes and print blocks.
Pamela Burns stitching on the porch at T.C. Steele’s studio in Brown County, Indiana.
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ABOUT Pamela Burns — Gallery of Textile Art -- SAQA Florida (gallerytextileartsaqafl.com)
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