Thursday, August 11, 2011

Paint Party Friday: Trying my hand at Batik

Fiber Reactive dyes
Oh, this is going to be embarrassing!  
Not a stunning beauty here but a fun experience and a new medium for me to explore!


I am trying my hand at batik and I have not perfected it yet.

Are you like me...I am so visual that I read a few instructions and look at all the pictures.  If a picture looks a little confusing I MIGHT read a little bit about it.  But I get just enough information to be dangerous!  
First Drew loosely then began to paint.
Application with paint brush

Well, I did just that this week.  I have two books both by Jane Dunnewold (available through Amazon, "Art Cloth" and "Complex Cloth"). These are the books I scanned quickly and studied the pictures.  She gives detailed explanations on how to do this and I bought the appropriate chemicals and dyes and then jumped in with both feet.  I did have an opportunity to be with several other art teachers playing with batik this week.  
I am not satisfied with getting just a little information.  I want to know how to do it perfectly which takes time and patience.


In retrospect.... as my friend likes to say...My two biggest mistakes (other than that hideous swirl in the left hand corner) were in rushing the wax job and in rushing my application of the black dye. 

When I can get back to work on batik I will add stronger blacks to this one, and experiment a little with the medium.

I would also, like to try my hand at something more spontaneous, something loose and fast to help me understand the application, timing and techniques.  

It is definitely a fun experience!  

Not stunning results but it's my first attempt.
Today, I went to my high school art room to arrange desks and begin to prepare my mind for a new year at school.   
I expect it to be a wonderful year in art.  
Look for me to be posting about some of the projects we will be doing. 


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33 comments:

  1. UnknownAugust 11, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    oh wow!!! that looks amazing....and what a neat thing to try...I have never every tried that medium....it does look like fun!!! will have to add this to my list!!!!

    Happy PPF!!!!

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  2. AnonymousAugust 11, 2011 at 11:19 PM

    I have not tried it either, but have always admired the medium. I think you did a wonderful job for your first attempt! Happy PPF! :-)

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  3. Kristin DudishAugust 11, 2011 at 11:19 PM

    Hooray for jumping in and experimenting with new techniques! Your results are great :) I would love to try traditional batik (I've only created paper batiks).

    Good luck getting your classroom ready!

    xo
    Kristin

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  4. Rosie KaplanAugust 11, 2011 at 11:29 PM

    The third photo looks gorgeous! I reckon you will create something wonderful very soon, just be experimenting and not reading!

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  5. Jenn GirlAugust 11, 2011 at 11:39 PM

    I absolutely love it! Well done!

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  6. JennAugust 11, 2011 at 11:41 PM

    So beautiful and graceful!!

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  7. Heather FoustAugust 12, 2011 at 12:11 AM

    Hey really cool.... I love that! I have never heard of this medium. I will have to try it. Thanks for sharing that! Happy PPF!

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  8. UnknownAugust 12, 2011 at 12:33 AM

    Great job.....I tend to speed read instructions...never good.... I'll be checking out my art room at school next week...the holidays are nearly over...have a good weekend..

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  9. AnonymousAugust 12, 2011 at 2:35 AM

    i am exactly the same-i have umpteen reference books on oil and watercolour but haven't taken enough time to actually read them! is batik the same as screen printing? i'll need to google to see how to do it as i don't know much about it. i think it looks great especially for a first attempt!

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  10. Šolanje na domu-WaldorfAugust 12, 2011 at 4:25 AM

    This looks like fun! :) I'm more of an instructions kind of gal. It's ridicilous how good I am at that. :)

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  11. SHERI COOKAugust 12, 2011 at 5:21 AM

    GLAD to meet another like me. I have soooo many books that I have yet to really read. I am a picture seeker too. Only read when stuck! LOL. Your work is beautiful and I hope you enjoy many more journeys with this new medium! HAPPY PPF!

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  12. GeckostoneAugust 12, 2011 at 7:01 AM

    Oh my, its BEAUTIFUL!!!!! And I love the swirl, you silly!!!!Gosh you make me want to try this, and yes I'm so the same with not having the patience to read everything completely and just look at the pictures, but hey, I think thats why yours came out so great! Sometimes wingin it makes it more free and magical!Lovely work!!!

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  13. DarlaAugust 12, 2011 at 7:10 AM

    Thanks for all the nice comments. It is always fun to try new projects. Batik is an ancient art form dating way far back and found in the history of various locations such as West Africa but is most often associated as Indonesian. Silk screening, although supplies and the concept of blocking out areas while dying or painting on fabric are the same, it is a completely different technique which has also, been modernized to make it easier. I plan to try that also. I believe the books I mentioned have the instructions for that also. I will check on that. Thanks, again. You are all such an encouragement.

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  14. Marcia BeckettAugust 12, 2011 at 7:22 AM

    cool batik! We tried that once in college and mine never got beyond some simple swirly patterns.

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  15. NettyAugust 12, 2011 at 7:37 AM

    Oh wow your Batik is wonderful. Its great to have a new adventure especially when you achieve such great results. Happy PPF, Annette x

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  16. carlareyAugust 12, 2011 at 7:39 AM

    Wow...pretty impressive for a first attempt at such a difficult medium. My few batik experiences have been pretty dismal, yours is beautiful.

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  17. EVAAugust 12, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    Very cool! I actually love the swirl. Great job!

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  18. carol l mckennaAugust 12, 2011 at 8:23 AM

    Wow! Batik ~ haven't done that since college ~ Great job ~
    namste, Carol ^_^ (Share the Creative Journey)

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  19. LanaAugust 12, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    I liked the swirl! and you know what? I am the same way! Hi my name is Lana and I am strictly visually dangerous! I think it looks great! Lord knows my drawing isn't that good! Can't wait to see your second attempt!!!
    Happy friday and good luck for the new school year!

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  20. ChristineAugust 12, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    your batik looks beautiful, thanks for sharing this interesting medium.

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  21. UnknownAugust 12, 2011 at 10:45 AM

    So gorgeous- and thanks for sharing the process!
    Happy PPF,
    Stephanie

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  22. WrightStuffAugust 12, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    A BRILLIANT first attempt!!

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  23. A'n'G JohnsonAugust 12, 2011 at 1:33 PM

    that was a ton of details for a first attempt! I havent played with Batik in years... and I'm not sure I ever got too detailed with it.

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  24. Anne ButeraAugust 12, 2011 at 2:23 PM

    I think your first attempt looks wonderful! I'm impressed. :)

    Happy PPF!

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  25. CrystalAugust 12, 2011 at 7:17 PM

    This is just fantastic! I love the way it turned out! :-)

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  26. GigglesAugust 12, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    Wow very impressive! Good job! Happy ppf. Like you I read directions half way too.... I have cool dyes in the garage waiting for experiments like this!

    HUgs Giggles

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  27. GlorV1August 12, 2011 at 11:28 PM

    I have not tried it but am now looking forward to trying that medium. It looks great.Adding it to my list of mediums to pick up. :) Happy PPF!

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  28. Joni NickrentAugust 13, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    I think you've created an awesome piece for just jumping in with both feet! I love batik, but haven't done any for a long, long time! Maybe I need to revisit this medium soon...you've inspired me! happy Creating! POP ART MINIS

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  29. Sinderella's StudioAugust 13, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    I think you are brave and it looks great...because I have no patience for directions and many times don't understand them...although I would love to try batik have avoided it like measles.
    cheers, dana

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  30. CameronAugust 14, 2011 at 3:17 AM

    Never tried it...but, I'd say it is an excellent 1st attempt! How else are we supposed to learn, if we don't meet some challenges?!

    Smiles to you! :D

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  31. mariasangelAugust 14, 2011 at 10:17 AM

    grrr--was interrupted in middle of my first comment and it vanished. is the last photo the result after you removed the wax? do you sew? it looks like the perfect candidate for some thread painting to replace the shadows and highlights! for such a detailed painting on your first attempt, it looks pretty decent! ;)

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  32. Karen IsaacsonAugust 14, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    Well done! I admire your "jump right in" spirit and if your first attempt is this beautiful, imagine what your next ones will look like!

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  33. TerrieAugust 20, 2011 at 9:08 AM

    Thanks for your wonderful comments Darla! Your tangling with your students sounds like a great idea and I can't imagine why they wouldn't love it. Wish I'd been exposed to it or other art instruction at a younger age.... and glad you enjoyed the 5 thinks I'm lovin' idea - sometimes there's just too much to keep all to myself, you know?! :)

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