How to Suck at (watercolor) Batik

[@freedom65ec]

I have done a lot watercolor batik and it is quite a challenge. I use Genwashi paper that has lots of fibers. I am not sure what you used. I generally trace onto the rice paper and then put wax wherever I want it to remain white. Then begin painting. The colors bleed a lot. Start with light colors and use the wax to preserve what you like before moving on. The less detail in dark colors would have been better. Use a diluted mix of watercolor with a strong pigment and brush it lightly after you have cringled the painting. What you had after that is what it should look like. The most tricky part is the ironing. This is what I have learned. Make sure the iron is hot. Put a couple sheets of newspaper on the bottom and 2 sheets on top. Quickly iron and immeadately lift off the top pieces. I have made lots of tears and holes. You could patch the hole with one of the ends of paper you tear off in the end. Hope this helps

[@YellowMelle]

The ironing part is very fun and exciting :D

[@iknownothing-49]

Are you kidding? I love this piece...especially the holes!

[@Kandicookheller]

Very clever. I'm trying to learn this technique as well. I think to avoid the ripping of the rice paper you need to heat up the paper with the iron more as you try to remove it from the newsprint and it should come off easier. I love what you created and I thank you for your video. My Amazon cart is filled up with everything I need. Now I just need to pay for it and find room in my messy studio. Like I need more stuff in there.....

[@YellowMelle]

I hope it goes well! Wouldn't mind trying again :D

[@rebeccacampbell8020]

Always dry each section that you painted before covering it with wax.

[@YellowMelle]

Good thinking 😁

[@kathykapsner3897]

Paraffin wax would be in blocks in a box. It is used to seal jams and jellies. I’m pretty sure you would find it in grocery store canning sections.

[@YellowMelle]

I wouldn't have thought of that!

[@vestibulitis]

I appreciated learning from your mis-steps. I'm about to try this myself and am now warned that the ironing is tricky. Experts make it look easy!

[@YellowMelle]

At the very least, it is a satisfying process! :D

[@impish22]

Actually quite beautiful...

[@TheBigmamabird]

It really has that batik look to it... such a lot of work went into it!

[@rosarebada4777]

I was glad to see your post because I have been mulling over the idea myself, but feeling like I didn't have a good insight to know what kind of scene would benefit from the layering process, which you are explaining correctly. The idea of starting with your lightest color and protecting parts with wax before moving to next darker value, wax and repeat, ... ending as you did, seems to be designed to mold visual images that are intricate like a puzzle and/or use color to feature depth and negative space. Afraid I'm not much help; I'm obviously still turning it over in my mind. Like everyone else I thought you put a lot of good work into your first attempt. I'd suggest more contrast. Hope you keep sharing your results! I'm thinking I may search out a book on the art of batik fabric, to glean a sense of its strengths.

[@rpcalee]

Thank you for sharing this. I really enjoyed watching you do this technique, and I like the final piece a lot, especially the tears and holes :-) I think I'll give this a try myself.

[@colleenjones5721]

Most things I try for the first time are a disaster. I actually like how the end result looks. I bet your next one will be more successful.

[@TheOldladyB]

I think it turned out beautiful. I would frame that.

[@theintuitiveartist4855]

I really liked the end result ! I dont think its a total failure..

[@elizabethclark4892]

Wow You are a lovely artist . Have you tried this a project again? I was wondering if you could do the same project with out the last step of crumbing and ink? Are you interested in doing one for me and how much would you charge?

[@YellowMelle]

Oh wow, hehe, No I haven't tried again and I must have repressed it! 😆 I do regular commissions and my pricing is here: www.yellowmellearts.com/pet-illustrations.html (it's mostly pet examples on there). For this style though, I'm not sure I would be confident in the rice paper experience! I do still have a bunch of it though, maybe I'll do a second try video... I'll certainly take requests for subject matter! The umbrellas were pretty neat 🤔

[@fayecook9171]

Its not a total disaster.........If you'd used blue ink that would have gone with the umbrellas

[@paulinemullin6239]

Still cool hun! xx

[@3ooth]

interesting, the process looks fun, I like the results too.. did you try the ganssai tambi paints on rice paper?

[@YellowMelle]

Using the Qor watercolour because it's handy, but I'm sure I'll try it again!

[@Freedaaa]

The longer you look at it, the more interesting it gets :-) Nice try, anyway :-) Best wishes