Silk painting is a form of art.
[All art begins with a good cup of coffee.]
Silk painting is colorful, expressive, textural, and fascinating.
Silk painting is a bit like watercolor painting, which almost everyone can envision, understand, and recognize when they see it.
Silk is sumptuous.
Unlike oil painting, where the paint sits on the primed canvas (which is treated to NOT let the paint soak into the canvas fabric), silk dyes soak into the silk; when the brush touches the silk, the dye magically spreads and moves, and takes on a life of its own. Then, upon setting* the dye, the dye becomes one with the silk on a molecular level.
[I thoroughly enjoy what I do.]
The colors are luminous.
The colors are magnificent.
The colors are rich.
The fabric is luxurious.
And depending on the type of silk we use, the dye color is lustrous (as on charmeuse), or it can be absorbed into the silk and become matte (as on organza).
The types of silk I use, and am using for the San Francisco exhibit, are:
Charmeuse
Twill
Broadcloth
Habotai
Chiffon
Crepe de Chine
Pongee
Noil
Shangtung
Organza
Taffeta
The types of dye I am using are:
I cannot share my images until the exhibit opens, but here is a very small detail so that you can see the sumptuousness of the silk and the luminous dye
I am using this new exhibition to stretch my imagination and use more silk types and more kinds of dyes—in fact, I am experimenting while I am creating/making. (Usually I am too concerned about doing what has worked in the past, creating what I think is good. This time, I want to interact more with the audience. I want to learn what you like, and which art and art type you respond to; not only the image, but the usage of the dyes and silks.)
When you enroll in one of my silk painting classes, you will learn all this and more.
Tell me, What is your favorite subject matter? What would you like to create? What would you like to paint?
I am setting up the curriculum for the silk painting class in the French château now; your help is invaluable.
Soon I will discuss mixing the dyes and creating colors with you in an upcoming newsletter.
*setting - We set the dye, usually, by steaming the painted silk upon completion. The steam creates an environment of heat and moisture that lets the fiber easily absorb the dye, and the dye molecules can bond with the silk molecules. As a non-scientist, I find this idea fascinating, and have a clear image in my head of the molecules dancing together once they bond.
[Wouldn't you like to own one of my paintings?]
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Learn silk painting here:
July 23-25, 2024 are the workshop dates for San Francisco. You can click on this link to learn more and to sign up
September 12-17, 2024, are the château workshop dates in France. Click here for that link : https://www.manorandmaker.com/maker/2024-silkpainting
Detail of 'View from the Clock Tower "- Finished and for sale in my shop
Many thanks,
-René