Silk painting is popular in Vietnam and reached its peak from 1925 to 1945. Various techniques have been developed, but the artists favored paint on silk because it creates a mysterious, yet soft, effect that other mediums cannot quite capture.
Applying a Resist
By applying a water-based resist, or gutta, to silk fabric that has been washed, dried, and stretched, the areas with the application resist the paint and stay white, the natural color of the silk. This technique is often used for human figures, to leave them a soft, white color. The parts of the silk that are then painted will have sharp lines and more vivid colors. Some resists, or guttas, are colored and meant to remain on the painting after it is finished, but the artist clear ones when the painting is finished.
Using a Stop-Flow Primer
A stop-flow primer helps keep the paint in place, as it tends to run a little and soak deeply into the silk, making the lines much less crisp. For this painting technique, the silk needs to be pre-washed. No-flow or stop-flow primers are painted directly on the silk and allowed to dry before paint or ink is applied. They are a bit like starch to prepare the silk for painting, and wash out after the painting is finished. Do not use stretch bars when using a stop-flow primer.
Untreated Silk
If the silk is left untreated,the images will be soft and mysterious, without crisp lines, similar to a watercolor painting. The artist can even use spray bottles or eye droppers to apply the paint and soften the lines even more. The silk should not be pre-washed for this technique, but it can be sprayed with water to help the paint spread even more. Place the silk between stretch bars to hold it firm.
Quality of Silk
The quality of the silk in silk painting determines the overall effect of the finished work. The quality of cocoons available determines the type of threads available for weaving the silk. The higher the quality of the silk, the clearer will be the colors and images on the Vietnamese silk painting. Use the highest quality Chinese silk for silk painting. Crepe de Chine is sought after for silk painting because of its even texture.
