Batik Details & Sources

Batik can be worked on many surfaces; cloth, paper, canvas, wood and some plastics.

Like watercolour, the work is painted from light tones through to the darkest.  The palest dyes needed are applied and dried thoroughly.  Hot wax (78deg) is then painted on to the areas you want keep. These waxed areas are then protected and darker areas are gradually built up, wax and then dye, finishing with the darkest tones.  The wax is then partially removed with an iron and old newspapers.

The brilliance of the dyes and the wax finish, never entirely removed, gives Batik its unique vibrancy. The wax also means that the picture is very durable to light and harmful atmosphere.

MATERIALS
www.textiletechniques.co.uk one of my favourite sites. I buy most things except papers from them and I know the directors personally.  (Their shop is in the North of England).
www.candlemakers.co.uk   Another good site. Their shop is in Blythe Road,  White City
Candle Makers Supplies  28 Blythe Road    London W14 0HA UK   (situated just behind Olympia)
Tel: 020 7602 4031/2
www.fibrecrafts.com  Old Portsmouth Rd Peasmarsh Guildford. Papers and dyes. 01483 565800
wonderful selection of papers and dyes.

www.khadi.com for the papers I use, 01243 535314.  They are based in Chilgrove North of Chichester. Phone them for times open (variable) and directions.
My favourite papers are JM3 lokta and mulberry, but other thicker papers are good and easier to work.

Silk paper is lovely but heavily slubbed – nice for some subjects, never use bleach on silk!  Mulberry paper is quite safe to bleach.

Bleach – used sparingly on Khadi papers produces fabulous results and does not harm the paper.