The Serti Technique BASIC CONCEPT OF PAINTING ON SILK Silk painting has been done for centuries in Asia. It has been big in Europe for years, and now painting on silk is becoming very popular in the U.S. Partly this is because silk is such a remarkable fabric, and it is more available now than ever before. Much of the interest is due to the French Serti technique for applying the dye to the silk it has everything going for it. This technique is easy, it's clean, it's fun, and you get startlingly beautiful results.
When dye is applied to silk it begins to spread, like grape juice on a table cloth. This may be the effect you want. in most cases, however, artists want more precise control of their design using hard lines and distinct shapes. The traditional French approach to controlling the flow of the dye is called the Serti (enclosing or fence) technique. Using the Serti technique you make a design with a resist called gutta. The dye spreads up to the resist fence and is halted, thus filling in the design with color.
Steps 1. Stretch and secure the fabric to a frame with tacks or suspend it in the center of the frame with silk clips and rubber bands (like a trampoline).
2. Hold the applicator bottle of resist, or gutta-like resist, vertically with the tip firmly against the fabric and squeeze gently while drawing the outlines of your pattern.
outlined areas. Allow the fabric to absorb the dye from the brush. Do not make brushstrokes. Instead, slowly and firmly guide the dye toward the resist lines.
3. Be sure that each shape is a unit, a completely enclosed shape, with no gaps or skips in the line. Even the smallest break in the line can let some of the dye escape. 4. Let the resist dry. 5. Using a soft brush, foam brush or applicator nib apply the dye sparingly to the middle of the
6. Allow to dry and then fix by the method prescribed for the dye or the paint you are using. We will discuss this more in class 3.
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Supply List:
List: (This is a list for silk dyes. You may also choose silk paints) JACQUARD SILK PAINTING STARTER KIT FOR UNDER $20.00 or Dupont Dye: Three primary colors (red, yellow, blue) minimum Resist: water resist (washes out) Resist applicator with nibs sizes 5-7 Fixative: Only if you plan not to steam set your silks
Brush: Watercolor brushes work fine Palette for dyes: Ceramic cups or plastic Two Water containers Can be old plastic yogurt, butter etc. containers Paper towels Alcohol Three types of salts from grocery store Regular table salt Rock salt Kosher salt Silk: Three yards of 8 mm China Silk Stretcher system: (here is one very inexpensive way to go) Stretcher bars for canvas ( any art supply store has these) Suggest: 18" x 24" (can also use the back of old frames) Thumb tacks
Scissors Hair dryer Applicator for dilatant can be found at Dharma's For transferring designs: Permanent sharpie black marker Pencil Paper
One pound of Enthusiasm to explore and have fun without any selfcriticism.
Extra Optional items that are nice but not absolutely necessary: Optional: several scarves 15 x 60 will need a few extra things if going to do scarves like: canvas stretcher bars 20" by 70", rubber bands, clips from office supply store Color chart: Can ask for one free when ordering dyes Color wheel for mixing colors would be nice if you are not familiar with how to mix colors Embroidery hoop: My favorite is about 8 or 9 inches in diameter plastic from art supply store Dyes. More optional: green, and purple, Brushes: larger brushes for wash, could use cotton balls also, cheap sponge brushes for larger areas Stretcher system: When you’re ready to treat yourself a Susan Moyer system is really nice.
Later, only if you decide you might like to do some steaming. Steamer: Remember you do not have to steam. I like to steam silks for very brilliant colors Types: Commercial steamer Spaghetti pot steamer The home large steamer for under $50.00, for the Cadillac of steamers. see Dharma Newspaper, if you will be steaming Plane newsprint, sold by the pound at Dharma
Where to Get Silk Painting Supplies
dharmatrading.com This is my favorite place to get silk painting supplies. They have a free catalog that is also very informative. It is the easiest one stop shopping for all your silk supplies. On east cost delivery may take about 6 days ...I think it is worth the wait. Staff is knowledgeable and ready to help. toll free: (800) 542-5227 or order online: dharmatrading.com Dharma Trading Company P.O. Box 150916, San Rafael, California. 94915
Atelier de Paris located in California They have jewelry that can be wrapped in silk. They have DuPont Dye starter kits. Also Atelier are a source for the Picot Frame for stretching silk. http://atelierdeparis.com/adp/index.htm
SILK (silk wholesale) Thai Silk www.thaisilks.com 800-722-7455 800-221-7455 (California only) Silk yardage, scarves, and clothing Exotic Silk 800-845-SILK 800-345-SILK (California only)
Susan Moyer's stretcher system and great books Moyer Design and Silk Painting
Moyer Design & Silk Painting PO Box 2875 Fort Bragg, CA 95437-2875 PH. 800.790.6377 FAX 707.964.7677
Brushes
A great place for brushes and general art supplies. Very entertaining catalog too. cheapjoes.com
Other Places To Get Silk Painting Supplies U.S.A. Qualin International P.O.Box 31145,San Francisco, CA 94131.
Rupert Gibbon and Spider (they are wholesellers for jacquardproducts) P.O.Box 425, Healdsburg, CA 95448 www.jacquardproducts.com
CANADA G&S Dye and Accessories Ltd www.gsdye.com Maiwa Handprints
6-1666 Johnston St, Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6H 3S www.maiwa.com/index.html
AUSTRALIA
http://www.silksational.com.au/ Suppliers list from Australian Silkworm http://www.dyepot.co.nz/products/dyes.html (Ask for green label Jaquard Dyes) www.silksational.com.au http://www.australiansilkworm.com/artlinks.html#suppliers-oz http://www.dyeman.com/
NEW ZEALAND
http://www.procolour.co.nz/home.html procolour@xtra.co.nz EUROPE Rainbow silks 27, New Rd, Amersham, Bucks. HP6 6LD, England. http://www.rainbowsilks.co.uk/ Vycombe Arts Fen Way, Fen Walk, Woodbridge, Suffolk. IP12 4AS, England. Art Express Index House,70 Burley Rd, Leeds LS3 1JX www.artexpress.co.uk/
http://www.candlemakers.co.uk/textile/textframe.html