Batik Making Process

Batik is a traditional process that uses wax-resist technique in its making. Wax resist methods prevents the dye from spreading to the entire cloth, ultimately creating beautiful batik designs and patterns. The cloth used for Batik can either be cotton or silk as it can quickly absorb the wax used in dye resisting procedure. The fabric must be densely woven and should be of high quality so that the intricate patterns are reflected in the Batik quality designs.

The cloth used for Batik is initially washed and boiled in plain water for a number of times before the wax is applied. It is done so to remove all the traces of starch, lime, chalk or other chemicals are completed washed away from the cloth. The traditional method of creating Batik was that the cloth was crushed with wooden mallet or ironed so that it becomes smooth and flexible and this helped to make best designs and Batik patterns. But now, the machine made cloth is smooth and supple enough to omit the pounding or the ironing process. Generally this system was adopted in the Batik making process.

The best quality of cloth used to make Batik designs include Primissima and Prima, and the quality of the cloth is also mentioned on the edge of the pattern. Blaco is often used for Batik which is a lesser quality cloth.

Design equipments

Though Batik designs and patterns may be intricate, but the Batik design tools are quite simple. Canting, the wax pen is a pure Javanese invention, is a thin walled small copper container with a spout having a short handle made of bamboo. Its length is about 11 cm and is filled with melted wax and with the help of canting artisans creates beautiful designs on the cloth. The spouts are of various sizes which help to create different design effects. For a fine and detailed art, a spout with diameter 1mm is used and to fill in the larger designs wider spouts are used. A canting with 9 spouts is used to draw dots or parallel lines. A clump of cotton is tied over the mouth of the canting or may attach it to a stick and this acts as a brush to fill up very large sections.

Once a pattern or a design is drawn on the cloth, it is ready to be waxed. To maintain the original color (white or cream) of the cloth, the artisans apply wax with the help of the canting. The fabric is wrapped over bamboo frames for the wax to cool which later on becomes hard. The wax is melted to attain the desired consistency in the wajan in which the artisan dip the chanting and fill it with melted wax. For a well defined batik, wax is applied on both sides of the fabric.

After the application of the wax, the fabric needs to be dyed for the first time. Initially, earthenware tubs were used for dying but now large concrete vats are used. The fabric is draped on the ropes with pulleys and immersed in a dye tub. For a darker color the cloth must remain in the dye for a longer period after which it is put in cold water to make the wax harder. After the cloth is dyed properly for the first time, the artisans apply wax to the areas where the first dye color is to be maintained. Now the area that was waxed initially needs to be cleaned by removing the wax with a small knife, dabbed with hot water and then resized, so that it can be dyed in similar manner with a subsequent dye tub. You can even give a marble effect by cracking the wax so that the dye enters into the cracks before it is put for dye bath.

Lastly, you need to wash the traditionally dyed Batiks with soap and water or lerak fruit which is available in traditional markets. Always dry the Batiks in shade and not under direct sunlight.

Fabric Painting - A Unique Form of Painting

Fabric painting is a unique form of painting that finds vibrant expression on the fabrics. Painting on fabrics has now become a popular homemade handcraft and is practiced by many whether as a hobby or as a part of livelihood. With simple techniques and procedures alluring paintings can be carved out in an affordable cost. It is due to these reasons fabric painting has a demanding market nowadays. Here we are from ethnicpaintings to furnish interesting information on fabric painting and display some lovely paintings of this genre.

Fabric painting is used in vogue in men shirts, ladies kurties, hand bangs, cushion covers, curtains, upholsteries, wall hangings and more. You need not have to be very adept in painting to become a fabric painter. What you require are some creative skills and sound knowledge on the various methods of fabric paintings. The rest happens automatically.

Fabric painting is all about mixing colors and applying heat in proportions. The work of a fabric painter is like that of a chemist mixing colors and perceiving the reactions. The fun lies in the fact that he or she should know what amount of color and heat to use in order to create a particular form of fabric painting. The most popular forms of fabric paintings are batik painting, dyeing, shibori, silk-screening, watercolor painting and layering.

Dyeing is one of the most common and simple forms of fabric painting. In dyeing some parts of a fabric are tied and merged into colored dye solutions while some other parts are abstained from dyeing. When folded in a particular shape, this helps to form a design integrating the colored and the uncolored segments. Batik Painting made by blending wax and dye is one of the most favored among the fabric paintings. Having its origin in the Indonesian island of Java, batik painting mesmerizes with its unusual tapestry, ensemble of colors and freedom of art. In Batik painting first the fabric is waxed, then dyed and finally de-waxed. Shibori is a typical Japanese tie-dye painting that lures with its creases, pleats, stitches, loops and colorful motifs. This type of painting is a bit complex and involves a series of processes like stitching, folding, creasing, dyeing, pleating and embroidering.

What to Look For in Indian Art

Indian art is filled with traditional history and devotional in nature. Its uniqueness is that it centers around Indian history, art and religion. In order to understand and relate to Indian art you must have knowledge of its Indian religious status and the political history.

To fully understand the encompassing work of the artist, you must first understand the nature of India ancient art history along with its political nature. In times past the rulers of India sponsored the arts and therefore had a profound influence over it.

Indian art purposefulness is devotional in nature and therefore to fully understand its meaning is to delve into the underlining meanings as they pertain to the India historical past.

When looking to buy this art there are a few variances of style to be aware of such as batik and or miniature paintings and sculptures.

A good way to become more familiar with Indian art is to take the time visiting as many galleries and museums as possible. This will assist you in being able to visually identify the nature of the artist and their style.

Once you are more aware of the different styles available and your have done your research such as watching reviews and adhering to the voices of critics, you are better on your way to purchasing an exquisite piece of artwork.

Indian artifacts and artwork uniqueness contributes to their value and price ranges may greatly vary. If pricing is a factor it may be best to seek out artwork of new and upcoming Indian artists.

The art itself comes in arrays of depiction of the Hindu and Buddhism culture of paintings and collectible sculptures. This includes an array of miniature paintings of Batiks, Thangkas and Madhubani Folk Art as well as a variety of oil paintings.

There is another identifying aspect of the art comes with an appreciation of the adornments semi precious gemstones, jewels and beading that generally is seen on the clothes and other items that carries the distinct Indian culture.

When becoming familiar with Indian art history, having previous knowledge of Hinduism and Buddhism will make selecting the best meaningful artwork for you task less strenuous.

Batik art, Hindu art and Silk paintings will all depict a form of Hinduism in the traditional miniature artwork. Mughal art depicts the medieval mughal dynasty which can also be seen in large silk paintings.

There are also paintings of the traditional artwork of the Taj Mahal made out of marbles on sauces and tiles. There are oil paintings that you will find of an lifelike imagery that follows the Raja Ravi Varma tradition which elaborates on the Indian and Hindu culture.

You will also find many paintings of the ten sikh gurus of time pasts are also captured in this traditional form of art. This will be of most impressive as a viewing in any home or room.

Indian art has an extensive history that can be researched as you ponder the best representation for your home, office or work environment. Remember that what you choose will be representative of the culture it is depicting therefore when asked about that painting, you will want to be well versed on why you choose that particular piece.

Hand Painted Silks Add Artistic Touches to the Home

Art may truly be in the eye of the beholder. What some experts deem "art" leaves those less educated in art history scratching their heads. But one thing is certain: art has become an integral part of interior decorating for the home. From throw pillows featuring exotic fabrications and finely crafted baskets to hand painted silks and children's hand-painted furniture, art in the home is here to stay.

Hand painted silks are especially appealing, and can add elegance and sophistication to interiors. Silk paintings for wall displays use high quality dyes on luxurious silk that look gorgeous in frames. Hand painted silks can also be used for screens, giving an exotic and highly appealing theme to a boudoir. Similarly, abstract silk scarves draped over chair backs or nightstands add a subtle beauty to a dressing area. Decorative hand painted silk pillowcases can also provide a colorful contrast to solid color bedding and walls.

Hand painted silks and dyed silks have a rich and ancient tradition. Experts speculate that silk was first developed between 5,000 and 6,000 years ago in China, and was used as an elegant fabric for garments and, eventually, as an important component of the country's trade. Indeed, the 5,000-mile "Silk Road" connected China to Persia, India, Egypt (where mummies were sometimes wrapped in silk), and Rome.

In India, Kanchi silk was and is woven and hand-dyed, and treasured for its superior craftsmanship and vibrant colors. Silk played an important role in the Roman Empire, and used to clothe emperors and as diplomatic gifts.

Most people are familiar with batik, a silk painting method that dates back more than 1,800 years. Batik is termed a "resist" technique because wax is applied to the fabric to make it "resist" penetration by the dye. Often, a fabric is waxed and dyed many consecutive times in order to incorporate many colors into the fabric.

Another "resist" method utilizes "gutta," a derivative of the Indonesian Palaquim tree that is a natural latex. Gutta is most often used with the French Serti silk painting method. The consistency of gutta is similar to that of rubber cement, and is not as easily removed as wax or water-based gutta.

Today, artists use a variety of silk dyes and paints to achieve breathtakingly beautiful contemporary art. Those that produce the most vivid colors are dyes that require steaming in order to bond with the fabric. Paints used for hand painted silk are often the consistency of watercolors, and are set by using an iron.

When decorating your home, keep in mind that not all hand painted silks incorporate Asian themes. Contemporary images and colors abound, and you're sure to find silk scarves, silk framed art, silk pillowcases, and silk panels that complement your decorating scheme.

Ancient Art Of Batik In The Modern World

With the recent economic "waking up" of global emerging markets, it would only be logical that other social segments of such markets would enjoy a revival of sort as well, and art forms of many kinds are no exception to this new found revival.

An artist from such an emerging market is Rita and she creates within an art form which is some 2000 years old and has been practiced in our western hemisphere only sparingly, partially due to its complexity, very time consuming and hot, messy application during the process of creating this art. Most everyone is familiar with this art when associated with linen and clothing, but less knowledgeable as to hanging wall art and framed work.

The art form I am referring to is BATIK. The art of Batik has several styles and forms and in accordance to global regions of their origin. There is the Chinese Batik, African Batik, Ukraine Batik and Batik styles from the Americas and the Caribbean Island. All have the same basis and use the same or similar materials in connection with this art, but it's the application process and its higher complexity of such application, which differs the regional labeling. The most detailed and resolution wise (at least in my humble opinion) the most beautiful Batik art form, is the not yet mentioned Java Batik, the form of Batik Art which I create and have been for some 30 years. The extra efforts, details and time consumption applied to this style of Batik Art is indisputably recognized by its final outcome of colors so vibrant and details of work so prevalent, the viewer could easily see it as "alive" if not at least visually most penetrating.

Perhaps this would be the right moment to describe this elusive art form and its method of application, and from experiences on the art show circle, I have encountered that even judges in juried competition have very limited knowledge as to the methods applied and efforts behind this form of art. However, whenever I'd invite such judges into my booth and made a presentation as to the creation of Batik Art, I did end up with an award for my art work. I believe creating art is more than just the outcome of such creation but some emphasizes should be given as to how the artist is getting there.

The word "batik" is roughly translated as "wax painting". As an art painter takes his brush of colors to create, a batik artist draws with the wax as to protect area from a certain color during the dye dip process. Batik is done on either silk or cotton, although the Java style of batik is mostly on cotton. Cotton, with its smooth and tight texture translates into higher resolution than the much looser and lighter silk fabric. Due to the process and method of batik, an authentic batik can be viewed on either side of the fabric, thus many batik arts are mounted between glass and matted as to show both sides, thus Two Arts in One.

The batik artist, after the original pencil drawing onto the fabric, be it cotton or silk, uses a "canting' tool to trace in details what the pencil drawing shows. The "canting" tool (imagine a small handheld funnel) is filled with a certain mixture of wax (Bee/Paraffin) and kept at a certain temperature as to keep it in liquid form, but still pasty. This wax will be applied to the fabric and its proper temperature will allow it to penetrate the fabric. The wax, upon drying will seal the fabric beneath it, just like a cocoon. The artist having covered all area of the Batik with wax BUT with EXCEPTION for area to which a chosen color will be allowed, will actually dip the fabric with the applied wax and all, into the color dye chosen for the area not covered with the protective wax. In most cases the artist would start with the lighter colors. After this several minute of Dye bath, the fabric is pulled and hung to drip and dry. Once the just applied color is totally dry, the artist will boil the fabric as to remove the wax entirely from the fabric. By the way, the removed wax is subsequently scooped up from the water, as it floats, and recycled into further use. The second step is to repeat the first step and so forth and for each layer of color designated for the Batik in creation. During the washing cycle of the dyed fabric a secret solution of salt and other chemical in a cold bath is applied as well during each process. This method of secrecy brings out the vibrancy of the colors.

In review and analyzing of the above description of the process to create such art work, one can quickly understand the complexity, pain striking details as well as the rather hot and uncomfortable environment the artist exposes him/herself to. The clean up process has its own challenges as well, of course.

An authentic batik is always and only an original, as the working with liquid wax on fabric will NEVER leave the exact duplicate like a print would, even if the design of the art is repeated on a second batik. The logic there should be obvious.

Although the above description of the method and process to create Batik Art, it was kept very simple, as the actual complexity is heighten by the artist knowledge of mixing dyes to achieve certain special colors, as well as crackling effect in certain batik pieces and how it is achieved by the artist. A more in-depth presentation can only be given when Batik sample is shown in association thereto.

Winter

The spy and the guitar