Next Workshop: Batik Basics

My next workshop is coming up in a couple of weeks on Saturday April 30th! The focus is on the batik process allowing you choose what you want to create...a banner, a scarf or art flags for example! The description is below. Go to www.suzannedrown.com for more information.

Batik Basics
Batik is the ancient art process of “writing” or painting with hot wax. In this day-long workshop you will have the opportunity to create your own batik designs and learn about wax-resist techniques, including painting or drawing on fabric with melted soy wax. You will also learn dye painting techniques to color your fabric.

Teens and adults welcome.

Date: Saturday April 30
Location: So Po Art Studios, South Portland, ME
Time: 10am-4pm
Fee: $75 + supplies (approx $10)

Once you register, I will send a short list of additional materials for you to bring from home: scissors, t-shirt, extra fabric, etc. Please bring a lunch.

Batik Basics @So Po Art Studios

I had the pleasure of spending this Saturday with two lovely ladies who wanted to learn more about the batik process!

We were the guests of So Po Art Studios, using their awesome classroom space.

We had a marvelous time!



Coming up...T-shirt Makeover ... June 22, 28, July 6 & 13...check my website for more information.

Batik Basics is a Go!

Looking for something fun to do this Saturday? Come to this day long workshop on the batik process. The details are below!

Batik Basics
Have you ever seen a beautiful batik design and wished you could try the process? Join me for an exciting exploration of this fascinating ancient art process. In this day-long workshop you will have the opportunity to create your own batik designs, learning about wax-resist techniques, including painting or drawing on fabric with melted wax. We will also learn dyeing techniques that can be used to color your fabric. Images from nature and from other cultures will provide the inspiration for your finished pieces.

Date: Saturday, June 12, 2010

Location: So Po Art Studios, South Portland, ME

Time: 10am- 4pm (lunch on your own from 12-12:30)

For: Teens and adults are welcome

Fee: $65

Materials Fee: $10 (Once you register, I will send a short list of additional materials for you to bring from home: scissors, t-shirt, extra fabric etc)

E-mail me at sue@suzannedrown.com for more info.

Next Step: Painting with Dyes

There are two ways to color your fabric: Paint the dye on or dip the the fabric in a vat (bucket) of dye.
Today's post features painting on the dye.

Here is the waxed fabric before I start to paint.





I have started to paint with yellow paint that I will mix with some blue to create green.







Adding some green paint now to fill in the leaves.









Now I am painting the back ground with the bright blue paint.









Here is a close up of the finished piece of fabric. After drying for 24 hours I will rinse it out with hot water to remove the soy wax and excess dye.










The finished fabric.

Next post -Vat Dyeing!

The Batik Process- Waxing

The most common question I am asked is, "Exactly what is batik?" So, over the next few posts, I thought it would be fun to do a virtual demo of the batik process, complete with photos of each step. Ready?

What is batik?....Batik, an Indonesian word meaning, “wax writing,” is a process in which an artist “writes” or paints on fabric or paper. The wax prevents the dye from being absorbed by the fabric when it is either immersed in or painted with the dyes. A new waxing and dying process must be repeated for each color and layer of the design.

Here is my work station: tools, melted wax and cotton fabric.



Getting ready to paint with the melted wax.






Here I am painting the fabric with a sumi brush and the melted wax.











More progress.











This piece of cotton is ready for dye!








Tomorrow...painting with the dyes.

Also check out my new business page on Facebook!

Art Escape March 19, 20 & 21

Like the idea of immersing yourself in art for three days? The weekend of March 19-21, I am very excited to be teaching a Silk and Dye Painting Intensive at Artascope Studios in South Portland. We will spend 3 days (Fri. 6-9, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-2) creating beautiful fabric projects with wax and dye paint.

Here is the description : "In this class you’ll use traditional and non traditional dyeing techniques to create multi-layered, one-of-a-kind art fabrics. Learn about wax resist techniques, while choosing from a gorgeous palette of paintable dyes. You’ll develop color palettes and use patterning to create fabrics that can be used to make a statement in any project from home decor to clothing." The weekend is designed to be fun and give participants a chance to really explore and learn the process of painting with wax and dyes.

If you would like to see the process check out my blog entrys from last spring.

For more information check out at the art escape web site.

See you on the 19th!

Thank You Art Quilts Maine

This past Saturday I had the pleasure to conduct a batik workshop for members of the Art Quilts Maine quilting group in Augusta, Maine. During the two hours we had together, they quickly learned to paint with wax and dyes. The results were beautiful!

Painting with Dye

Back to work now that spring vacation is done! Spring has arrived so I can work outside!
Here are the photos of the next steps of the batik process. I am painting on the dye today. Here is the waxed fabric before I start to paint.





I have started to paint with yellow paint that I will mix with some blue to create green.







Adding some green paint now to fill in the leaves.









Now I am painting the back ground with the bright blue paint.









Here is a close up of the finished piece of fabric. After drying for 24 hours I will rinse it out with hot water to remove the soy wax and excess dye.










The finished fabric. More steps to come soon!

Painted with Wax

Here are some more photos of the waxed fabric featuring design number two.

Next Steps

As promised, here are the next steps in creating a batik.

Here is my work station: tools, melted wax and cotton fabric.








Getting ready to paint with the melted wax.






Here I am painting the fabric with a sumi brush and the melted wax.











More progress.











This piece of cotton is ready for dye!








Check back soon to see my progress.