There are two types of "paints" used on silk:
Silk Paints - these are heat fixed, usually by ironing or
Silk Dyes - these are steam fixed and can either be spirit or water based.
Books on silk painting don't always make this clear (as I found out the hard way) and whilst they are both wonderful to use, they react quite differently and each produce different effects.
In the Beginners workshops I use the heat fixed paints.
SILK IS BEST TORN RATHER THAN CUT, IN ORDER TO OBTAIN A STRAIGHT EDGE.
THE SILK MUST BE ATTACHED TO A FRAME BEFORE PAINTING, PREFERABLY USING SILK PINS. ALTERNATIVELY, AN EMBROIDERY HOOP CAN BE USED.
PULL THE SILK TAUGHT AS YOU ATTACH IT TO THE FRAME.
THE DESIGN CAN BE TRANSFERRED ONTO THE SILK WITH A PENCIL, LAUNDRY PEN OR A FADING MARKER PEN. (PENCIL WILL NOT WASH OUT OF THE SILK AND SO EVERY MARK MADE WILL SHOW UNLESS COVERED BY GUTTA).
YOU MUST USE THE GUTTA APPROPRIATE FOR THE PAINTS OR DYES (ie WHETHER STEAM FIXED OR HEAT FIXED)
GUTTA IS USED TO STOP THE FLOW OF COLOURS ON THE SILK.
WHEN YOUR PAINTING IS COMPLETE, TO FIX THE PAINTS:
- LEAVE FOR 24 HOURS TO ENSURE GUTTA IS DRY
- SET IRON TO SILK SETTING
- IRON SILK ON WRONG SIDE FOR 2-5 MINUTES (OTHERWISE GUTTA MAY STICK TO THE IRON). PROTECT FABRIC FROM HEAT WITH CLEAN CLOTH OR BAKING PARCHMENT.
- IF YOU HAVE USED SALT TECHNIQUE, WASH THE SILK WHEN FIXED AND IRON AGAIN WHEN SLIGHTLY DAMP.
