What is Batik
For more than 2500 years, throughout the world, artists have used wax and dye to create patterns and images on fabric—a technique known universally as Batik.
The word Batik (pronounced Bateek) means "wax written" and this is basically what Batik is. It originates from the Javanese tik. It is a way of decorating cloth by covering part of it with a coat of wax and then dyeing the cloth. The waxed area keeps its original color and when the wax is removed the contrast between the dyed and undyed area makes the pattern.
The art of decorating cloth in this way, using wax and dye, has been practiced for centuries. Batik is both an art and a craft. Big, bold designs in bright colors are the most striking characteristics of it. Part of the attraction of batik is its simplicity and the fact that you don't have to be artistic in the conventional sense to produce beautiful results. Some of the best effects in batik are in fact the work of chance. This is particularly true of the way in which the wax cracks to let small quantities of dye through, adding an unexpected and interesting effect to any design. This hairline detail, or "crackling", is a special characteristic of most batik work.
Because batik wax is applied hot it is necessary to work fairly rapidly and this can produce a freedom (or loss of self-consciousness) that makes many people who think they cannot draw find, to their amazement, that they can.
Contemporary batik, while owing much to the past, is markedly different from the more traditional and formal styles. For example, the artist may use etching, discharge dyeing, stencils, different tools for waxing and dyeing, wax recipes with different resist values and work with silk, cotton, wool, leather, paper or even wood and ceramics.
The word Batik (pronounced Bateek) means "wax written" and this is basically what Batik is. It originates from the Javanese tik. It is a way of decorating cloth by covering part of it with a coat of wax and then dyeing the cloth. The waxed area keeps its original color and when the wax is removed the contrast between the dyed and undyed area makes the pattern.
The art of decorating cloth in this way, using wax and dye, has been practiced for centuries. Batik is both an art and a craft. Big, bold designs in bright colors are the most striking characteristics of it. Part of the attraction of batik is its simplicity and the fact that you don't have to be artistic in the conventional sense to produce beautiful results. Some of the best effects in batik are in fact the work of chance. This is particularly true of the way in which the wax cracks to let small quantities of dye through, adding an unexpected and interesting effect to any design. This hairline detail, or "crackling", is a special characteristic of most batik work.
Because batik wax is applied hot it is necessary to work fairly rapidly and this can produce a freedom (or loss of self-consciousness) that makes many people who think they cannot draw find, to their amazement, that they can.
Contemporary batik, while owing much to the past, is markedly different from the more traditional and formal styles. For example, the artist may use etching, discharge dyeing, stencils, different tools for waxing and dyeing, wax recipes with different resist values and work with silk, cotton, wool, leather, paper or even wood and ceramics.
Batik
Abstract
Abstract
Batik
Flowers
Flowers
Batik
Portraits
Portraits
Contact
Ritz@ritzcreations.com
For inquires and orders
Upcoming Classes
Art Of Silk Painting
Sat 10AM-3PM
Sep 24th and Oct 1st
At Midland Park Continuing Education
Making a Hand Dyed & Block Printed
Silk Scarf To be announced
Botanical Flowers on Silk
Wed 6:30-9:30 pm
6 Sessions, starts Oct 5
At
Ridgewood Community school
Silk Painting for teens
Fri 6PM -9PM
9th Sep, 14th Oct
At
Riverdale Art Center
(An ongoing program, Look for Silk Painting every few weeks )
Plan your own class
You can plan your own class with your own group
Contact me for pricing and scheduling
Special projects for Brownie and Daisy Groups
Contact me for pricing and scheduling
Special projects for Brownie and Daisy Groups