Marcus Chen
Silk has been an integral part of Chinese art for over a thousand years, with the practice of Gongbi paintings on silk reaching its peak during the Song Dynasty. Preparing silk for traditional Chinese painting involves a few steps. Firstly, it is recommended to stretch the silk before painting to avoid crinkles. Next, sizing the silk is crucial; sizing refers to treating the fabric with natural glue, such as animal gelatin, and alum, which helps the paint adhere better and gives the silk a beautiful sheen. After sizing, the silk is ready for painting, and it is important to use paints specifically designed for silk or fabric, such as watercolours, liquid fabric paints, or silk dyes. Once the painting is complete, it should be allowed to dry for 24 hours and then set with heat or steam according to the fabric paint instructions. Finally, the silk can be gently rinsed in warm water to remove any excess resist or residue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Natural glue, animal gelatin, alum, silk, water-based resist, watercolours, gouache, ink, acrylic, thumbtacks, staples, scissors, soft pencil, mixed media paper, small brush, fabric paint |
| Techniques | Stretching, sizing, scroll mounting, flattening, ironing, sketching, tracing, outlining, setting, rinsing |
| Tips | Use natural pigments, traditional Chinese black ink, pre-wash and dry silk, use water-based resist to avoid shrinking or wrinkling, use thumbtacks for removable framing, buy extra silk for framing |
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What You'll Learn
Stretching the silk before painting
Stretching silk before painting is an important step in preparing your canvas. Silk needs to be stretched and secured onto a frame to create a taut surface to work on. This is because silk is a delicate fabric that can easily sag or wrinkle. Stretching the silk beforehand also ensures that the fabric remains flat while painting.
There are several ways to stretch silk. One common method is to use a wooden frame. The frame should be slightly larger than the length and width of the silk piece. Stretch the silk across the frame and use thumbtacks, staples, metal push pins, wire clips, or rubber bands to secure it in place. You can also purchase a plastic frame that helps stretch the painting silk. These frames are easy to assemble and can be adjusted into a square or rectangular shape. Pull the silk tight and press the clamps to secure the fabric onto the bars.
Another method is to use an aluminum tray that is slightly larger than the width of the silk. Stretch the silk, apply the outliner or paint, and let it dry. Then, unclip the silk and move it down so you can paint the next section.
It is also important to note that the silk should be prewashed before stretching and painting. Use a silk detergent such as Synthrapol to maintain the integrity of the fabric and gently hand wash unless the fabric tag says otherwise.
Additionally, sizing techniques are crucial when preparing silk for painting. The percentage of alum and glue must be strictly controlled. Animal glue produces better effects than plant-based glue, and traditional natural animal gelatin, or San Qian Ben Jiao in Chinese, is the most widely chosen gelatin.
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Using natural pigments
Traditional Chinese pigments are similar to Western gouache paints, but they contain more glue than watercolours, which helps the pigment bind to silk. These pigments are usually made from natural plants and minerals, some of which are toxic or poisonous.
Some common natural pigments used in traditional Chinese silk painting include:
- Cinnabar powder (a basic stone colour)
- Vermilion cake (a basic stone colour)
- Eosin red cake (a basic herbal colour)
- Rouge (a basic herbal colour)
- Malachite (a basic stone colour)
- Jadeite powder (a stone colour)
- Ochre/burnt sienna cake (a basic stone colour)
When using natural pigments for traditional Chinese silk painting, it is important to prepare the silk properly. This includes stretching the silk and using sizing techniques to help the silk hold its shape. The type of silk used can also impact the final result, with thicker silks creating a different effect than thinner silks.
Additionally, the tools used to apply the paint can vary depending on the desired design. Small brushes are typically used for painting, but brushes of other sizes can be used depending on the type of design. It is also important to use paints that are made specifically for silk or fabric painting, such as liquid fabric paints or silk dye.
Finally, once the painting is complete, it is important to properly set the design so it stays in place. This includes allowing the paint to dry for 24 hours and then setting it with either heat or steam, depending on the type of fabric paint used.
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Choosing the right silk type
Silk has been used in Chinese art for over 1000 years, with the greatest Gongbi paintings of the Song Dynasty being done on silk. Silk is a valuable material, and high-quality silk is even more valuable.
When choosing the right silk type for traditional Chinese silk painting, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it is important to select a silk type that is suitable for the specific painting technique you plan to use. For example, if you are using a liquid fabric paint, you will need a different type of silk than if you are using silk dye.
Secondly, the weight and thickness of the silk should be considered. A heavier weight silk may be better suited for detailed work, as it will provide a taut surface to work on. Thicker silks are also better for beginners as they are easier to handle and frame. However, thinner silks can be used for more detailed work, as they allow for better absorption of the paint.
Thirdly, the colour and translucency of the silk should be considered. Silk comes in various colours, including natural beige, antique white, and snow white. The translucency of the silk will also affect the appearance of the finished painting. A more translucent silk will allow light to shine through, creating a softer appearance, while a less translucent silk will result in more vibrant colours.
Lastly, the grade of the silk should be considered. Premium-grade silk is recommended for beginners as it is easier to work with and provides a better surface for painting. However, higher-grade silks may be more suitable for experienced artists as they offer a wider range of techniques and effects.
Overall, choosing the right silk type for traditional Chinese silk painting depends on a variety of factors, including the specific painting technique, the weight and thickness of the silk, the colour and translucency, and the grade of the silk. By considering these factors, artists can select the most suitable silk type for their artwork.
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Applying water-based resist
Preparing the design:
Before applying water-based resist, it is important to prepare your design. Using a soft pencil, sketch out your design on mixed media paper. This allows you to make and fix any mistakes before transferring the design onto the silk. Once you are happy with your design, place your paper under your pre-washed and dried silk fabric and use your pencil to trace and transfer the design onto the silk.
Outlining the design with water-based resist:
Now, it's time to outline your pencil markings with water-based resist. Water-based resist is a special type of adhesive used for painting on silk that won't cause the fabric to shrink or wrinkle when it dries. It is important to choose a water-based resist as it can be easily washed out with warm water once your painting is complete. Fill your pipette bottle with the resist and use a smaller applicator bottle for better precision. Think of the resist as illustration lines, applied by squeezing the bottle with a fine tip, rather than holding a pencil. Be careful when diluting the concentrated water-based resist to your desired consistency, as it can become too thin and spread out wider than intended, or too thick and gloopy, making it difficult to apply and permeate the silk fibres properly.
Setting the design:
After outlining your design with water-based resist, let your painted silk dry for a full 24 hours. Then, set the design by following the instructions on your fabric paint, using either heat or steam. Once the paint is set, gently rinse your silk in warm water to remove the resist.
Alternative techniques:
While water-based resist is a popular choice for silk painting, other options include gutta, a solvent-based product that leaves a rubbery feel on the fabric, and batik, which is hot wax typically used with cotton. Gutta can be tinted with dyes and is available in clear, black, and some metallic colours. However, it may require dry cleaning for removal. Batik allows silk artists to build up layers of colour, creating unique effects. Experiment with different techniques to find the one that feels right for you.
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Setting the design with heat or steam
After your painted silk has dried for 24 hours, you can set your design with heat or steam. The type of fabric paint you used will determine whether you use heat or steam.
If you are using silk dyes, you will need to steam the fabric to fix it. You can steam silk at home by wrapping it in paper or muslin and steaming it in a vegetable steamer, fish steamer, or a saucepan. The silk must not get wet during this process. Place a layer of foil under the silk and a small lid of foil over the top of the silk to protect it from water damage. After steaming for 40 minutes, remove the silk from the steamer and carefully unwrap your work.
If you are using silk paints, you can use a hot iron to set the design. Iron your silk while it is still damp, using a steam iron or an ordinary iron on a medium setting. If your silk has metallic or coloured gutta on it, be sure to iron on the reverse side.
Low-temperature heat-activated boards can also be used to flatten and mount silk paintings.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need silk, natural glue (animal gelatin), and alum. You can find alum at your local pharmacy.
First, stretch the silk. Then, apply the alum and gelatin mixture to the silk. This will help the colours adhere to the silk.
You should use natural pigments and traditional Chinese black ink. You can also use liquid fabric paints, silk dye, or watercolours.
