Priya Kapoor
When it comes to painting on silk, there are a few important steps to consider to ensure the best results. One common question that arises is whether or not to wash the silk before beginning the painting process. Prewashing silk is generally recommended as it helps achieve a smoother and more even application of paint. This is especially important if you plan to use water-based resists or guttas, which require a smooth surface to create clean lines and borders. However, it's worth noting that some artists suggest experimenting with a small piece of silk without pre-washing to test the flow of the dyes. This is because certain silk fabrics may have been treated with products that can interfere with the paint application.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Should silk be washed before painting? | Yes, it is recommended to pre-wash silk before painting it to allow for a smoother and more even application of paint. |
| How to wash silk? | Wash by hand or in the washing machine on a gentle cycle with warm water and a silk detergent such as Synthrapol. |
| What happens if silk is not washed before painting? | The dyes may not flow properly, and the paint may not be set or fixed, causing it to wash out. |
| What happens if hand-painted silk gets wet? | Hand-painted silk should not be soaked or left wet as the dyes will spread and possibly ruin the garment. |
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What You'll Learn
Pre-washing silk is recommended for a smoother paint application
When pre-washing silk, it is important to use a gentle detergent specifically designed for silk, such as Synthrapol. The silk should be washed by hand or in a washing machine on a gentle cycle with warm water. It is crucial to check the garment tag for specific care instructions. After washing, the silk should be rinsed, dried, and then ironed on a silk setting while still slightly damp.
Once the silk is pre-washed and dried, it can be stretched over a frame using thumbtacks or staples to secure it in place. The fabric should be taut but not pulled too tight, as this can damage the delicate silk fibres.
Before painting, it is recommended to sketch the design on paper first and then transfer it onto the silk using a soft pencil or a vanishing marker. This allows for more room to make and fix mistakes. The design can then be outlined with a water-based resist or gutta, which acts as a barrier to keep the paint within the desired areas.
By pre-washing silk and following these preparatory steps, artists can achieve smoother and more even paint applications on silk.
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Use a silk detergent like Synthrapol to maintain fabric integrity
It is recommended to prewash silk before painting it, and using a silk detergent like Synthrapol can help maintain fabric integrity. Synthrapol is an industrial-strength, pH-neutral liquid detergent used as a prewash and afterwash for dyed or painted fabrics. It is often used to remove Procion dyes from fabric. Its pH level prevents further reactions of active fiber reactive dyes, and it is much kinder to protein fibres such as silk or wool.
The pH level of Synthrapol is lower than that of ordinary laundry detergents, which often have a high pH due to large amounts of soda ash in the formula. This high pH aids in the ordinary laundering of cellulose fibres such as cotton but can damage silk or wool. Synthrapol is also free of optical brighteners, which are poorly washfast fluorescent dyes that can make your fabric appear brighter.
Using Synthrapol as a prewash can help remove oils, waxes, starches, and sizings, ensuring an even dye job and reducing the risk of blotchy colours. It can also remove invisible lubricants, fingerprints, dirt, oil, silk worm gum, and other impurities that can interfere with the dye and cause uneven dyeing.
When using Synthrapol, it is important to use hot water for the prewash to effectively remove excess dye. However, for silk and wool, it is recommended to use cool to warm water as hot water can break the bonds of the acid dye and cause more washout of colour. The amount of Synthrapol used will depend on the type of fabric and the hardness of the water. For silks, use 1/8 cup (1 oz) for a full washing machine load, but you can adjust the amount based on your specific needs.
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Wash by hand unless the fabric tag says otherwise
It is generally recommended to pre-wash silk before painting it to allow for a smoother and more even application of paint. This is because silk may have been treated with a product that needs to be washed out before painting. However, it is important to always check the fabric tag for washing instructions, and to follow the manufacturer's directions for caring for hand-painted silk. Some silk items may not be suitable for hand washing, and should be washed according to the instructions provided.
When pre-washing silk, it is important to use a silk detergent such as Synthrapol to maintain the integrity of the fabric. The silk can be hand-washed or washed in a washing machine on a gentle cycle with warm water and detergent. It is important to rinse and dry the silk after washing, and to iron it on a silk setting when it is still slightly damp.
After the silk has been washed and dried, it can be stretched over a frame to keep the fabric even. This is an important step, as silk that is too loose will sag and cause the paint to puddle, while silk that is too tight may damage the fabric or become warped. The fabric should be taut but bounce back when pressed in the middle.
Once the silk is stretched, the design can be transferred onto the fabric. It is recommended to sketch the design on paper first, as this allows for more room to make and fix mistakes. The design can then be traced onto the silk using a pencil or vanishing marker. After the design has been transferred, it can be outlined with a removable paint, such as Resist, to create clean border lines.
Finally, after the Resist has dried, the silk can be painted using a paintbrush or other tools such as a mist sprayer or eye dropper. It is important to set the paint with an iron after 24 hours to ensure that it is completely dry and set. If Resist has been used, it can be rinsed out of the silk with warm water.
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Stretching silk over a frame before painting prevents sagging or wrinkling
Stretching silk over a frame before painting is a traditional method of preparing silk for painting. This method helps prevent sagging or wrinkling of the delicate fabric.
To stretch silk over a frame, start by placing the silk on a wooden frame that is slightly larger than the length and width of the silk. The frame can be custom-built to the desired measurements. Secure the silk in place using thumbtacks, staples, clips, metal push pins, or rubber bands. It is important to stretch the silk tautly, but be careful not to pull it too tight to avoid damaging the fabric.
When stretching silk over a frame, it is essential to work slowly and with a light touch. This is because erasing mistakes on silk can be challenging. It is recommended to sketch the design on paper first and then transfer it onto the silk using a soft pencil. This way, you have more room to make and fix mistakes.
Once the silk is secured on the frame, you can start painting. Outline your design using a water-based resist, a special type of adhesive that won't cause the silk to shrink or wrinkle when it dries. After outlining, fill in your design with paint.
Stretching silk over a frame before painting ensures that the silk remains smooth and taut during the painting process, resulting in a professional-looking finished product.
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Ironing sets the paint and resist/gutta
When ironing, it is important to protect your ironing board by using a protective cloth, as the gutta can sometimes reprint onto the board, especially if using metallic gutta. It is also recommended to work in small areas at a time, moving in a small circular motion, to avoid burning the silk and to ensure that each section retains enough heat to set the paint.
The type of iron and setting used depend on the type of gutta or resist used. For silk with metallic or coloured gutta, it is advised to iron on the reverse side using a steam iron or an ordinary iron on a medium setting. For clear water-based resist, ironing is done after rinsing the silk in warm water to remove the resist, and it is recommended to iron lightly while the silk is still slightly damp.
Gutta is a special type of adhesive used in silk painting to create illustration lines and prevent dye from reaching certain areas of the fabric. It comes in different varieties, such as solvent-based gutta, water-soluble resist (also known as water-based gutta), and batik (hot wax). Solvent-based gutta must be dry-cleaned after steaming, while water-soluble resist can be removed by washing after steaming.
Resist is applied to silk using an applicator bottle or pipette, creating steady and even pressure to draw the resist lines without any breaks or gaps. It is important to check that the resist has penetrated all the way through the fabric to avoid dye bleeding along the edges. Resist can be used to create design guides or lettering on banners, providing a framework for the silk painting.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is recommended to prewash silk before hand painting it. This allows for a smoother and more even application of paint.
You can prewash silk by hand or in a washing machine on a gentle cycle with warm water and a silk detergent, such as Synthrapol.
Stretching silk on a frame keeps the fabric taut and even, preventing sagging or wrinkling. It also helps to easily sketch the design on the silk.
Once the paint is dry, set it by ironing the silk on a silk setting.
