I began the watercolor batik process by drawing a sketch of a scene I had photographed in Lucca, Italy. Then, I transferred the drawing, with a black sharpie, onto special rice paper – Ginwashi rice paper. I lightly adhere the drawing on rice paper to the waxed side of butcher paper, that has been wrapped around a board.
Now, I am ready for layers of paint, beginning with light colors and going to dark, protected, by layers of hot wax, as I want. The colors I want to keep, as is, I cover with hot wax.
I have covered most of the wash on the line with hot wax so it will stay white.
Now, I add more layers of color after covering some areas of yellow with the hot wax. Once you have all your paint and wax layers completed, you cover your entire piece with hot wax. Next, you peel your piece away from the waxed butcher paper you’ve had your art work on throughout the above process.
The art coming off the waxed butcher paper. This part you must do slowly, and it works better with two people.
Finally, you sandwich the art work between newsprint (or the Wall Street Journal because the ink does not bleed) and iron it. You repeat the sandwiching between newsprint and ironing until the wax is out of the paper, for the most part. The wax left, seals the painting.
Eventually, I add more and more layers of hot wax, alternating with colors.This is my final piece.
I am looking forward to trying this again for a new piece, and maybe I’ll make some painted papers using this technique. Stay tuned! I am so thankful for the day of learning, meeting new friends, and enjoying beauty in the teacher’s studio on the top of a mountain over-looking Colorado Springs.
