Cut Out + Keep

How To Silk Paint From A Photograph

Trace a Drawing or Photo with Silk Painting Techniques

https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/how-to-silk-paint-from-a-photograph • Posted by Bella Nunn

Using resist techniques, you can trace the outline of a photo and fill in the colours. Make a silk scarf, or artwork to frame and display in your home. You can use any natural fabric, this tutorial is demonstrated on silk.

You will need

Project Budget
Cheap

Time

3 h 00

Difficulty

So-so
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Description

Using resist techniques, you can trace the outline of a photo and fill in the colours. Make a silk scarf, or artwork to frame and display in your home. You can use any natural fabric, this tutorial is demonstrated on silk.

Instructions

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    For this tutorial you will need your photograph/ drawing taped onto your workspace. Gutta is a paint-like substance that resists the paint. You can find Gutta on Amazon, I am using 'PEBEO Silk Painting Water Based Gutta Tube'. You can also find silk paint on Amazon, I am using a 'Silkcraft' set of paints. Optional equipment includes, a paint palette to mix your paints and an applicator bottle, to get more controlled lines with your Gutta.

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    Tape down the silk over your photo.

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    Apply the Gutta to the areas you don't want the paint on, i have used it to draw the outlines. I am using a gold Gutta but you can also get clear Gutta or other colours. You can apply the Gutta using the tube it came in, or pour it into an applicator bottle or you can paint it on with a paint brush. Check to make sure that all of your lines are closed, so the paint will not bleed through any gaps.

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    Mixing colours: You can mix the paints, as well as the Gutta, to achieve different colours.

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    For a watercolour effect, paint water onto the silk first and then apply the dye wet and you can blend colours. Paint directly onto the dry silk if you want a more controlled look. I am creating a watercoloured background, while leaving the details in the image dry.

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    Fill in the colour. You can let it dry and overlap colours or add more Gutta if you need to. Once you're finished painting, remove it from the photo so it doesn't stick to the paper, then leave it to dry.

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    Heat set your painting with an iron- on a low setting for silk. Sandwich it between fabric or paper when ironing. Then it is safe to wash and the colours will not run.

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    You can rinse it.

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    You can then display it in an embroidery hoop if you wish.