Monday, May 19, 2014

Laguna Beach in Silk

Laguna Beach in Silk
Image Size 20" x 20"
Silk dyes on silk
My silk painting demo last week went well.  I really enjoyed it and I hope everyone else did also.  I didn't do much actual painting.  There was so much information to give them so I painted a sky using the watercolor technique (on a different painting) and did some color blending in a couple of other areas.  Mostly, when the resist lines are used on silk, painting the piece is like 'filling in the blanks' and I know anyone new to silk paintings can do that on their own.  I described what to do and how the silk dyes would react but didn't want to waste time having them watch something so simplistic.

I took this painting to work on with the sky and border already painted so that they could see a finished sky and an example of the texture on this border but I worked on another painting that I had done the resist on but not any painting.  You'll probably see it finished in a week or so.

The border texture in this painting was achieved by adding alcohol after the dyes had dried.  The texture in the foliage is a combination of salt being added to wet dye and alcohol being added when the area was dry.    I tried to demonstrate how salt reacts with the dyes but it was so dry here (5% humidity) that the dyes dried before I could add the salt.  Luckily, most of the people watching were watercolorists so they were familiar with using salt.  This painting hasn't been steamed yet and its just pinned to a board.  After it's steamed, the white lines will be more distinct and I can stretch it so that the borders are even.

I've used this image many times but never in silk and since it's one of my favorite spots, I had to use it again.  I think it translates nicely to silk.

11 comments:

  1. Bonjour,
    Un véritable petit paradis que celui de cette belle oeuvre. Un magnifique travail où la légèreté, la délicatesse et la douceur sont omniprésentes.
    Je suis certaine que vos élèves ont été enthousiasmés par vos cours.

    Gros bisous ♡

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  2. It is gorgeous, Nancy! I'm seeing a silk quilt all of a sudden. Wouldn't that be gorgeous with your silk paintings? Cannot imagine how the salt works on silk but I sure like the texture of your border.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Sherry. You're right, this would be beautiful as a quilt.
      Have you not tried using salt with your watercolors? It can create a wonderful texture.

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  3. Knew you would knock their socks off and glad it went well. Wow, 5% humidity is like living in the desert. I like all the texture going on and didn't know you added things after the fact to create the textures. Definitely love the colors and IRL this must be the most beautiful spot.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Nelvia.
      Yeah, I never thought I would have to worry about it being too dry here for salt to react. I don't remember it ever being that dry before. Luckily, our weather is back to normal now. : )

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  4. The texture and color is excellent in this piece, Nancy.
    and its a beautiful scene...I really need this place right now...even though the weather here in New York is finally feeling like Springtime!!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Hilda. I'm glad you're finally getting some better weather. It sounds like your winter was extreme.

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  5. This looks like such a lovely place to be! Beautiful piece

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  6. Hi again, Nancy. I have used salt with my watercolors but the salt dried and stuck to the paper. I didn't get much of an effect either. LOL Obviously, has to be me.

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  7. Hi Sherry, maybe the paper was a bit too dry when you applied the salt or possibly it was the paint color. Some colors react more than others. I would say you should try again. Make sure that there is a slight water sheen on the paper when you apply the salt. That is the best time to add the salt. Maybe make a color chart on scrap paper to see the reactions.

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