On Monday this week I ran a taster Batik workshop at Newbiggin Arts Forum. This is a local arts organisation who aim to encourage the community to take an active part in the arts. They promote all art forms and have photography groups, creative writing groups along with performing arts and visual arts.
Each Month they hold a meeting, which usually has a themed competition for the members, A speaker, who comes and shares some of what they do, and a short workshop. This week it was my turn.
I introduced the Forum to the very basics of batik - using hot wax to create a barrier on fabric to dye or paint. this can be built up to form intricate layers and patterns. Although it is a simple technique it takes some practise to be able to control the tools carefully. As the workshop was only an hour or so long, we stuck to the very simplest of batik forms. using wax and fabric paint on white cotton fabric.
The photos are some of the members enjoying their first experience of batik. The youth arts forum will also be doing a similar workshop with me in September.
Looks like great fun. You should show some of the finished results.
ReplyDeleteI did this once with my class didn't use hot wax too scared but can't for the life of me think what we did.
Thanks Caroline - I will post some of the results. I didn't take many photos. I was too busy! Once I get hold of the photos they'll be up there.
ReplyDeleteI've done this with students as young as 8/9. As long as you supervise well and teach the health and safety it's quite a safe activity to do. Much less risk than lino cutting!
Interesting workshop, enjoying our blog posts.
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