Silk paints for scarves, shawls and pictures on silk

Silk paints, gutta and supplies for silk painting

Silk paints are very fluid and soak into the fiber instead of sitting on top of the fabric. This keeps the silk soft and flowing, and the colors look clear and luminous on scarves, shawls or pictures made of silk and other fine fabrics.

What matters in silk paints

Depending on the product, silk paints are fixed by ironing or steaming. You can easily work with iron-fix paints at home; for steam-fix paints, you need a steamer or a steam-fixing service. After fixing, the colors are washfast; care instructions are listed with each product. Gutta gives you crisp outlines: you apply it as a line, and it holds back the paint like a barrier. Wash, salt or watercolor techniques create gradients and textures. Frames and stretching systems keep the fabric taut while you work, and brushes and pipettes help you apply paint precisely.

• Water-based silk paints
• Gutta in clear or opaque
• Brushes, pipettes, frames and stretching systems
• Brands such as Marabu, Javana, Pébéo and Dupont

Tip: Wash new silk before painting to remove the sizing so the paint soaks in evenly. With the gutta technique, every line must be completely closed, otherwise the paint runs into the neighboring area.