Tessa Spanton SWA Artist, tutor, writer



TESSA SPANTON SWA ARTIST, WRITER AND TUTOR

Welcome to my blog.
This is where I write about some of the things that inspire my work,
news of exhibitions and works in progress

Monday 18 November 2013

Inktense on Silk Part 1


This lavender field was painted on damp silk using Inktense blocks, It is approx  4in square
The manufacturers say these can be used on silk and when dry are permanent. Silk paints are usually fixed by ironing. I ironed this. 
Below is my sample to test the colours to see if they are colour fast when washed. 
I will also test the colours to see how light fast they are but that takes time.
The sample on the left was cut in half and the right hand side washed. The right hand photo shows before and after washing. I didn't notice any colour running in to the water though the sample on the right has gone a little lighter.



I also tested some other aquarelle sticks on damp silk. I didn't cut these samples in half but just washed the right hand side of each.
D    Daler Rowney's Aquatone
CD Caran d'Ache Neocolour
L    Lyra

With these I could see the colour coming out into the water. The manufacturers of these makes don't claim that they are colour fast.


The Inktense blocks seem to have done the best on washability.
I am not sure that I would use any of them for silk scarves.
They would be good for making silk painted cards or small paintings and are more portable for working outside or on holiday. They would be ideal for groups of children to use.



5 comments:

Stephanie Guy Fine Art said...

Very interesting blog Tessa, thanks for sharing your findings. I really like the results you got, the paintings are very beautiful and soft.

It's also interesting to see how the inktense moved on your sample piece - the lines are not as clear on the right hand side. Did you let the silk dry fully before you washed it?

And did you find that the inktense spread less than your normal paints?

Colours and Textures said...

Stephie they were all dried and ironed before washing.
They didn't spread as much as my usual paints. I will do another post about the differences when I have done a few more.

The other samples were only washed on the right hand side.

Shelley Whiting's art said...

The colors are very rich and bright. Beautiful work.

Unknown said...

Hi, I advice I paint butterflies and dragonflies. I want to try to do silk scarves tiny lines, and with Derwent inktense. I do not know how it will look after several washes.
But maybe derwent appropriate for my brooches butterflies, and postcards can be tested, it will certainly be good on details here ... Lubica

Colours and Textures said...

Lubica you could try Deka markers or add thickener to iron fix colours and paint with a fine brush.