Sun Painting/Printing
1) Machine wash your fabric to remove sizing, then thoroughly dry and iron
smooth. 2) Mix all colors (2 parts water to 1 part paint) Be sure to mix enough paint ahead of time! 3) Gather supplies: foam brushes, paints, saIt, and any items to be used to create designs like natural items). 4) Spread fabric over a smooth waterproof board and wet it with clean water using a foam brush or spray bottle. Once wet the material will "stick" to the smooth, waterproof painting surface. HELPFUL HINTS It is best to use 100% white cotton fabric. A blend of cotton and svnthetic (containing at least 50% cotton) will give you good results but the colors will be less vibrant and the design not as resistant to washing. For best results place the fabric on a smooth piece of plastic or a board covered with plastic to prepare and paint. Then the board may be easily taken outdoors for the sun printing to occur. For an easy solution try taping a garbage bag to a solid piece of cardboard or plywood.
HELPFUL HINTS To get more "blending" of the colors apply more water to the fabric before painting. For less blending, apply less water or leave about 1/2 inch between colors. They will move together as they "spread" across the wet fabric. Be sure to paint the entire surface with color - areas remaining white will not print a design image. Normally the results are more favorable if 2 or 3 colors are used. Too many colors on the same piece may result in undesirable effects.
MORE HELPFUL HINTS
Mix the paper patterns and natural items on the same piece. The two work nicely together to create depth and dimension on the painted fabric. If it is a windy day, small stones may be placed over the paper patterns (although a small mark will appear on the finished fabric where the stone was placed). Or a large piece of fencing or screening may be placed over the entire piece of fabric! It keeps everything in place and creates an interesting design as well!
|