Introduction: Silk Paintings
A few years ago, the Van Gogh estate contacted me to do a piece for a villa remodel. I don't know how they got my information, but I was intrigued. They said they'd been particularly impressed with one of Vince's lesser known pieces called "Starry Night," and did I know it? A quick google search on my phone turned up the results. The estate representative felt the piece was great, but lacked a certain something - size, perhaps - and would I be interested in a re-imagination of the original? I'm not one for imagination, but I am one for big, big art. How do I know it's art if it's not big, right? So I set about my own vision of this humble piece. I chose silk as my canvas, and used a wax resist to keep the lighter colors in tact while painting in the darker dyes. To get the most brilliant colors, I steam-set the piece in a home-made chimney set-up. It was crazy.
Anyway, they were so thrilled with the outcome, that during their annual Koninginnedag celebration, they made a special point in the villa tour to stop and admire the painting. The Japanese Imperial family was so impressed, I guess, that they called me the next day. Sure, I could put something together for the birthday of the new Prince, no problem. So I got to work on a new piece, using a water-based resist this time instead of wax. I like to mix it up, you know? I chose a 16"x60" piece of silk and outlined the details with my resist, so that they would maintain a white outline. Sharp. I finished the piece with a black wash, since I thought that seemed regal and masculine. I also steam-set the finished painting, since other methods I'd tried out since the Dutch commission created lack-luster results. Well, they were happy, and the Prince is said to have spoken his first words upon seeing it. Unfortunately, I don't speak Japanese so I'll never know what they were.
Participated in the
I Made It Photo Contest
Be the First to Share
Recommendations
For the Home Contest
Game Design: Student Design Challenge
Big and Small Contest
32 Comments
8 years ago on Introduction
Oh, I love Asian art! :)
11 years ago on Introduction
I adore this. What was the second resist called that you used? With the wax for the first piece, how did you remove it when done or did you remove it? Fantastic work!
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Thank you! I ironed out the wax from the first resist, and I used a traditional water-based silk paint resist for the second.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
When you ironed the wax out, did you do it onto news print? Sorry to keep hounding you with questions! I've always admired silk paintings and would love to try one out.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
No problem! Yes, I covered both sides of the silk with many layers of newsprint. The only drawback to using a wax resist is being sure to get the right mix of waxes. While I think most any will work, beeswax is not so awesome for you to breathe once it reaches a certain temperature. I can't remember now what the blend I used was, I'm afraid. Wax is great for blocking out large areas of silk for painting, but for details, the other resist (called Gutta) can be much easier. You don't need to remove it!
If you want to give silk painting a try, I suggest getting a kit from Dharma Trading Co that will give you everything you need, including instructions! It's where I get all of my dyeing and painting supplies.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Thank you so very much, you are a super star!
11 years ago on Introduction
Amazing!
11 years ago on Introduction
VERY nice!...and I'm a great admirer of Van Gogh's work.
Really cool about the Japanese too...Hey, you're awsome...
and make some pretty darn good cookies too (Samoas...yummm).
12 years ago on Introduction
Loving it. Also this can definately be marketed.
12 years ago on Introduction
Impressive!
12 years ago on Introduction
Wow. I'm in total awe.
12 years ago on Introduction
a true blue artist!
12 years ago on Introduction
Like Art? Like art contest? Well, if you want to just join a contest then please visit the link:
http//www.instructable.com/group/ArtContest
12 years ago on Introduction
Wow!
12 years ago on Introduction
If scooch can say Koninginnedag as well as she writes it I doubt she is anglophone.
A big domo arigato for this stunning piece. Vincent would be proud! Now cut off an ear.....
12 years ago on Introduction
Wow! Awesome stuff. Amazed to see that "Starry Night" is considered a "lesser known piece" though! Especially by his estate! It's my favourite painting of all time, and Wikipedia even goes so far as to claim that it's his Magnum Opus.
Don McClean - Vincent
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
i like your last name it is cool i have a teacher and his last name is Mcgill cool huh i thought i'd just put that out there.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Hah, no, that's not my last name. :) Don McClean's a famous singer/songwriter. He's probably most famous for the song "American Pie" but "Vincent" is a beautiful song about Vincent Van Gogh.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I know, right? I still remember being introduced to Van Gogh in my fifth grade art class with that painting. More than any other, it is what I associate with him.
Oh wait, are we missing your sarcasm, scooch? Btw, love it, like pretty much everything else you do!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
i like that one as well he is so cool i took an art class and learned all about him