Welcome to "What are you working on?" - the group that wants to see all those projects you are hiding away. Or, if you want to brag, this is the place.
I was asked to do a quick tutorial. I had photos of one I did long ago, but I made new photos as I had a couple of projects I needed to do. PLEASE click on the photos to get a better view.
First, what are paintsticks? Someone found a way to put oil paint into a crayon form that does not dry out, and works well on fabric. The brand I use is Shiva Paintstiks. In Europe they are sold as Marcal brand. They come in many colors, but I prefer to use the more narrow range of iridescent colors. I like shiny, okay? Here is a link to their palette of Paintstik colors
Okay, the first thing you might notice on that page is that they are freaking expensive. I have to say, I have not bought any new colors in several years, because while they cost a lot, they last a long time for small projects like mine. Here are some different examples of what I have done with them in the last few years:
The best feature of Shiva Paintstiks is its "self-sealing" feature. To use the sticks, you must first remove the skin that forms to prevent drying. Taking the skin off a new stick takes a knife to loosen(or sharp fingernail). After use, it will form a thin layer of skin that must be removed, but I usually do this by putting the stick in a paper towel and twisting a few times. Most of the sticks are crayon-hard, but at least one, the magenta, is more like lipstick. This has to do with certain colors, according to the company.
I thought I would show three simple techniques that I like to use. First, I use the sticks like a crayon or chalk to do a rubbing. I am fond of rubber fish molds, used in the Japanese technique gyotaku.
I originally got these fish and made ink prints on rice paper. When I started with Paintstiks, I saw the potential and used them on shirts and fabric. I put on a long piece of painter's tape to keep a straight line, and then slip the fish underneath the shirt. I hold the sides of the fabric and use the stik from one end of the fish in short strokes. Helpful hint: To use multiple colors, leave one color to dry overnight. That way, it is dry to the touch and you don't get smears. Here is the finished shirt:
The second technique is simple stenciling. The easiest way to get paint for a brush is to take a paper plate, lay down a few strips of masking tape(blue painter's tape in photo). Rub the Paintstik against the tape a few times and there will be enough paint for stenciling. For this shirt, I had a stencil of a pine cone and needles and taped it to the shirt. I use a stencil brush, but make soft sweeping brush strokes. I later used a rubbing plate(plastic with raised design) to create a design between the fish and pine.
Finally, I use a technique I learned from a book on Paintstik design. I take a regular piece of paper and tear it from top to bottom in a rough, wavy manner. I then load some paint onto a brush, and start about 1/4 inch in from the edge. I brush the paint onto the fabric(holding the paper securely) to create a soft design. Cool, huh? I have made mountain designs on shirts like this, by tearing carefully to get peaks just right. This painting was done on a black silk scarf. Here is the finished product, now for sale in my shop:
IMPORTANT REMINDER: Oil paint dries to the touch overnight, so it is easy to layer several colors in a short time. Drying completely takes three to five days. The designs must be heat set with a dry iron, and I recommend putting a paper towel or old piece of fabric between the design and the iron. If it is not dry, paint will get on the iron. Be patient! It is worth it!
Another tip: When doing rubbings, sometimes little bits of paint or paint skin come loose on the fabric. Take a piece of tape and pick them up like you would get lint off a sweater - press the tape here and there to stick the loose bits and throw away. This prevents smears on the fabric and also paint on your work table!
What is wonderful about this method is that it allows someone who is not really trained in drawing to create wonderful designs that last. I have shirts that I have washed dozens of times, and the design is still clear. They will fade over time, but if set properly, make a unique wearable or piece of fabric for a quilt, home decor item(like the linen placemat and napkin shown in the beginning of diary) or anything else you can imagine!
Here is a direct link to my Photobucket album with more photos of Painstik design:Paintstik Tutorial album