Sunday, August 28, 2011

Batik koi

  Koi
16" x 20"
Unryu paper, wax batik/watercolour

After my first experiment with wax batik on paper, I knew I wanted to do more.  This weekend I remembered that I had a design purchased ages ago from Kathie George who produces beautiful batik paintings.  I dug it out and figured it would be a good way to get some more experience with this technique.

I used some unryu paper and spent a laborious morning drawing and waxing initial layers.  The fish are the simple part, the intricate borders were a challenge.  Usually these borders are done with a metal pattern dipped in wax and applied like a stamp to the paper or fabric.  Without one, I had to draw it by hand.

I took images all along the process and will post them another time.  I like the final result, however the paper was perhaps a little too fragile for this technique and developed a couple of tiny tears.  Nothing that cannot be cured once mounted.  Also, I'm looking still for a local source of paraffin wax as beeswax alone is too soft and doesn't crackle in the final stage as I want it to.  Seems canning/bottling supplies are not carrying this as much as they once did.  Another tradition by the wayside perhaps.

Now with another under my belt and some lessons learned, I have a few more ideas for pieces that I'd like to try.

4 comments:

Judy Shreve said...

Your batik paper is beautiful. You can buy Gulfwax on Amazon.com. I use it in my pottery as a resist.

Carolyn A. Pappas said...

Wax is not generally used for home preserving any longer because of modern scientific techniques that don't need wax. The tradition of home preserving is actually gaining popularity though. You could also try a place that sells candlemaking supplies for paraffin.

Jeanette Jobson said...

Thanks Judy. Amazon.ca doesn't sell the range of products that Amazon.com does and .com doesn't ship their products to Canada, aside from books or cd/dvds. I'm sure I'll find some, otherwise, just melt down some utilitarian candles.

Carolyn, yes, I figured that technology replaces technique. I'll look around and find a local source somewhere. I hate shipping it in as postage costs so much when you buy something heavy.

Jennifer Rose said...

yeah, candles will work just as well, sometimes the only option :/

i like the border done like that, makes it more unique :)