Painting on silk usually requires some sort of resistance, otherwise the dyes would spread uncontrollably onto the silk. Once dye is on silk, it cannot remove easily or effectively, so resistance can play a major role in your drawing.
The most common resists are wax and gutta. When applied to silk, that area will not be penetrated by the dye. You can then paint other areas, knowing that the dye will only go where you want it. However, silk can be very unpredictable which is both a blessing and a curse! With the best will in the world, things can (and often do) go, shall we say, unexpectedly, so you shouldn’t get too upset about it and try to see every mishap as an opportunity. You will quickly learn your tricks for masking any “mistakes” and most paintings are irreplaceable if the dye leaks from the resist. This is why popular themes are flowers, landscapes, etc., to which an “extra” tree/leaf/petal can easily be added if the dye leaks!
Wax resistance It is also known as batik and is used all over the world in textile design. Batik wax is heated in a vessel and dripped or painted onto the silk to form a resist. In this way, several colors can be created on the silk, with each layer covered in wax. The main limitation of wax resists is that fine details are difficult to obscure with this method.
Gotta resistance
Gutta is a rubber based liquid that is available in a variety of colors as well as clear. You can draw it on silk as an outline which can then be painted on with iron-on or steam-based dyes. If you’re thinking of using gutta, tip: Make sure you buy the sort in a small plastic bottle with a cap, not the kind that comes in a tube. The tubular material is an absolute nightmare to use!!! The type of bottle can also be pretty frustrating, but with some practice you should be fine. You can trace the design onto your silk and then go over it with gutta. It needs about half an hour to dry before you can paint. The main drawback to gutta is that it leaves the “stained glass” effect that many people associate with silk painting. If you like this effect, that’s fine, if you don’t, you’ll have to find your own style!
Pre-Gotta designs
It is possible to buy silk with the design already printed. This is great if you’re just getting started with silk painting because it allows you to forget about the outlines and keep drawing. I highly recommend starting with pre-printed gutta designs before trying to create your own. For a great beginner silk painting kit please see my website http://www.japancrafts.co.uk