This blog is about sharing some wonderful tips I have learned from experience and from other silk painters all over the world. Some tips come from discussions on Silk Painting Gallery Network, SPIN facebook page, my students in class online and in person, my wanderings on the Internet looking for information and of course trial and error experiments.
You have many options for supplies depending on your purpose.
Things to consider are:
silk dyes or silk paints
setting silk by iron, steam, chemical
resist such as gutta, water based resist, solvent based and how to remove or leave in
I recommend you read books or save yourself a lot of trial and error by taking the Online Silk Painting Course.
Here is a free sample class on materials: CLICK HERE
Recently asked on Linkedin Group: Silk Art
My answer:
As many others have mentioned:
1. Steam set
2. Try Red Label or Dupont both must be steam set. I have been using Dupont for years and love the brilliant color. I do not like the price increase so have since moved to Jacquard Red Label and do not see any difference except saving money.
3. Depending on your purpose…I have found you can adhere silks to a surface without steaming IF you use a clear paste not a runny medium. I discovered using Golden Clear Heavy Paste I like the shiny finish but you can get satin finish. I adhere on panels, canvas. and wood.