Fabric Painting
Why Paint on Fabric?
A.
Why Paint
a.
Self expression
b.
Another layer in fibre art
c.
Create colour combinations that are precisely
what you need
d.
Puts visual texture exactly where you want it.
e.
Can use it for shading
f.
Convenient compared to dye
B.
Why fabric
a.
Express differently than on paper of canvas
b.
Can sew fabric afterwards
c.
Becomes washable with proper treatment i.e. heat
setting
d.
Can stand alone or use for background or cut in
pieces
C.
“Negatives” compared to dye
a.
Doesn’t bond to fabric the way dyes do
b.
Can end up rubbing off
c.
Can create sewing problems
d.
Can turn hard on the surface
e.
Need a fabric medium to create a bond (either
already in at the manufacturer or added later.)
Applying the Paint
A.
Equipment
a.
Spread with brushes, foam, sponges, trowels,
putty knives, spatulas, pencils, fingers, squeeze bottles
b.
Spray with airbrush, spray bottles
c.
Splatter, splash, dribble, flicker with toothbrush,
brushes, squeeze bottle
d.
Monoprinting with gels, glass or plastic
e.
Stamping with stamps, foam, sponges, kitchen or
office objects, leaves, etc
f.
Screen for screen-printing
B.
Resists
a.
Wax, stencils, packing tape, glue, painters
tape, salt, flour, corn starch, oatmeal, rice
b.
Sun printing
Paint
Brands
Different brands have different levels of
colour saturation, different consistencies, different viscosity, and different
adherence to the fabric. See Chart
Some require formatting for fabric. Some
require additives or watering down with water or extenders or glazes.
Paint
Types
A.
Acrylic Paints (sits on the surface)
B.
Watercolour paint and watercolour pencils
C.
Inks -
both in liquid form or solid
Transparency or Opacity
Transparent
a.
Allows the cloth or undercoat to show through.
b.
Lighter transparent colours are usually applied
first, followed by darker one to allow them to combine visually.
c.
Add white paint to increase opacity
d.
Complimentary colours become muddy where they
overlay
Opaque
a.
Does not allow fabric or previous colours to
show through
b.
Adding water lessens opacity
c.
Adding white lightens the colour but not the
opacity
Note: Water allows the paint to spread on a fabric – thin
paint will diffuse more readily than thick paint. Once the paint is dry its
water content (viscosity) will no longer be a factor as only the colour is
left. The more you have thinned it and therefore the further you have spread it
the less colour will be left.
Paint thinned with water or applied to wet fabric will
migrate easily. If two colours are wet when they meet, they will blend. Dry
between applications if you don’t want them to blend.
Exception: Water colour pencils will blend if they become
wet again.
Heat Setting
Heat
setting should be done in a well ventilated area because some noxious chemicals
are released when heat is first applied. All fabric paints need to set and
stabilize before washing. See chart.
Heat speeds up the process. Possible ways, depending on
fabric and product include dryer, oven or iron.
Refer to Val’s article in the November newsletter to remove
any residual chemicals or extra paint.
Fabric Types – things to consider
A.
Any type of fabric or blend will take paint
B.
White fabric will result in truer colours if
transparent
C.
Natural or off white will give a yellowish cast
D.
Solid colours or prints will give different
effects
E.
Thread count – a dense surface allows the paint
to stay in place – good for a nice crisp stencil, while a less dense will allow
the paint to migrate easier for blending or shading.
F.
Surface treatments prevent paint from being
immediately absorbed. Consider whether to launder first depending on effects
desired. Whether to iron first. Whether to have wet or dry.
Painting Surfaces
A.
Paint over hard smooth surface. (plastic or absorbent)
B.
Paint over surface with shape either soft or
hard for effect
C.
Paint over air (as in a frame)
Hint: A surface with a light padding is best for
stamping.
