How to make a Snowflake Batik - with watercolour pencils & glue resist

Some of my students made these recently - they really enjoyed using the watercolour pencils on fabric.

This art piece looks great in a window. The resist areas really show up well.

Polyester fabric seems to work best – use white unless a different background colour is desired.         
Cut fabric to the size you want.
   
I recommend using Fray Check or other product around the edges of the fabric to prevent stray threads; let dry; or make small seams with a  serger.

Tape down fabric onto  wax paper, shiny side up. 
      
Choose a variety of snowflake stencils and sizes. Please first snowflake stencil on fabric. Using Elmer’s Washable School No Run Gel glue, spread glue with tip or with sponge brush or cosmetic sponge. Lift carefully from fabric, and place next stencil then repeat. The glue will act as a resist.

Wash stencils when done and before glue dries. Wash sponges.
      
Let fabric dry at least 12 hours.
   
Mix 1 part fabric medium to 2 parts water in small jar. Brush fabric medium on fabric to wet it – works small parts at a time.
   
I used watercolour pencils for this painting. Choose a background olour and a second colour to add some contrast.

Begin to lay down the background colour one section at a time, adding a bit of the second colour for contrast or highlight. The pencils do not need to be
sharp, but should not be too dull either. It works best to dip the tip of the
pencil into the fabric medium/water mixture.

Begin to mix colours together before the fabric dries. If it dries add more water. Use a wet cosmetic sponge and gently make circles to blend the colours together and to remove any blotches of colour that you do not want. Do not press too hard. If they colours do not blend well, leave for a few minutes then go back to it again. This will give the water time to “melt” the
pencil.

Once done, let your drawing dry.  Remove painters tape.       
Hang in a window to let the light shine through the snowflakes.



 

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