The Serti Technique
BASIC CONCEPT OF
PAINTING ON SILK
Silk painting has been done for cen-
turies in Asia. It has been big in Eu-
rope for years, and now painting on
silk is becoming very popular in the
U.S. Partly this is because silk is
such a remarkable fabric, and it is
more available now than ever be-
fore.
Much of the interest is due to the
French Serti technique for applying
the dye to the silk it has everything
going for it. This technique is easy,
it's clean, it's fun, and you get star-
tlingly beautiful results.
When dye is applied to silk it begins
to spread, like grape juice on a table
cloth. This may be the effect you
want. in most cases, however, artists
want more precise control of their de-
sign using hard lines and distinct
shapes.
The traditional French approach to
controlling the flow of the dye is called
the Serti (enclosing or fence) tech-
nique.
Using the Serti technique you make a
design with a resist called gutta. The
dye spreads up to the resist fence
and is halted, thus filling in the design
with color.
Steps
1. Stretch and secure the fabric to a
frame with tacks or suspend it in the
center of the frame with silk clips and
rubber bands (like a trampoline).
2. Hold the appli- outlined areas. Allow the fabric to ab-
cator bottle of re- sorb the dye from the brush. Do not
sist, or gutta-like make brushstrokes. Instead, slowly and
resist, vertically firmly guide the dye toward the resist
with the tip firmly lines.
against the fabric
and squeeze gen-
tly while drawing
the outlines of
your pattern.

3. Be sure that
each shape is a
unit, a com-
pletely en-
closed
shape, with
no gaps or
skips in the
line. Even
the small-
est break in
the line can let some of the dye escape.
6. Allow to dry and then fix by the meth-
4. Let the resist dry. od prescribed for the dye or the paint
you are using. We will discuss this
5. Using a soft brush, foam brush more in class 3.
or applicator nib apply the dye
sparingly to the middle of the
  

Supply List:

List:

(This is a list for silk dyes. You may also choose silk paints)

JACQUARD SILK PAINTING STARTER KIT FOR UNDER $20.00

or

Dupont Dye:
Three primary colors (red, yellow, blue) minimum

Resist:
water resist (washes out)

Resist applicator with nibs sizes 5-7

Fixative:
Only if you plan not to steam set your silks
Brush:
Watercolor brushes work fine

Palette for dyes:

Ceramic cups or plastic

Two Water containers

Can be old plastic yogurt, butter etc. containers

Paper towels

Alcohol

Three types of salts from grocery store

Regular table salt
Rock salt
Kosher salt

Silk:
Three yards of 8 mm China Silk

Stretcher system: (here is one very inexpensive way to go)

Stretcher bars for canvas ( any art supply store has these)
Suggest: 18" x 24" (can also use the back of old frames)

Thumb tacks

Scissors

Hair dryer

Applicator for dilatant can be found at Dharma's

For transferring designs:

Permanent sharpie black marker
Pencil
Paper

One pound of Enthusiasm to explore and have fun without any self-
criticism.
Extra Optional items that are nice but not absolutely
necessary:

Optional: several scarves 15 x 60 will need a few extra things if going

to do scarves like: canvas stretcher bars 20" by 70", rubber bands,
clips from office supply store

Color chart: Can ask for one free when ordering dyes
Color wheel for mixing colors would be nice if you are not familiar with
how to mix colors

Embroidery hoop: My favorite is about 8 or 9 inches in diameter

plastic from art supply store

Dyes. More optional: green, and purple,

Brushes: larger brushes for wash, could use cotton balls also, cheap
sponge brushes for larger areas

Stretcher system: When you’re ready to treat yourself a Susan Moyer

system is really nice.

Later, only if you decide you might like to do some

steaming.

Steamer: Remember you do not have to steam. I like to steam silks

for very brilliant colors

Types:

Commercial steamer

Spaghetti pot steamer

The home large steamer for under $50.00, for the Cadillac of
steamers. see Dharma

Newspaper, if you will be steaming

Plane newsprint, sold by the pound at Dharma

Where to Get Silk Painting Supplies

dharmatrading.com

This is my favorite place to get silk painting supplies. They have a free
catalog that is also very informative. It is the easiest one stop shopping
for all your silk supplies. On east cost delivery may take about 6 days
...I think it is worth the wait. Staff is knowledgeable and ready to help.
toll free: (800) 542-5227
or order online: dharmatrading.com
Dharma Trading Company
P.O. Box 150916, San Rafael, California. 94915

Atelier de Paris located in California

They have jewelry that can be wrapped in silk. They have DuPont Dye
starter kits.
Also Atelier are a source for the Picot Frame for stretching silk.
http://atelierdeparis.com/adp/index.htm

SILK (silk wholesale)

Thai Silk
www.thaisilks.com
800-722-7455
800-221-7455 (California only)
Silk yardage, scarves, and clothing

Exotic Silk
800-845-SILK
800-345-SILK (California only)
Susan Moyer's stretcher system and great books
Moyer Design and Silk Painting
Moyer Design & Silk Painting
PO Box 2875
Fort Bragg, CA 95437-2875
PH. 800.790.6377
FAX 707.964.7677

Brushes

A great place for brushes and general art supplies. Very entertaining
catalog too.
cheapjoes.com

Other Places To Get Silk Painting Supplies

U.S.A.
Qualin International
P.O.Box 31145,San Francisco, CA 94131.

Rupert Gibbon and Spider

(they are wholesellers for jacquardproducts)
P.O.Box 425, Healdsburg, CA 95448
www.jacquardproducts.com

CANADA

G&S Dye and Accessories Ltd

www.gsdye.com

Maiwa Handprints
6-1666 Johnston St, Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6H 3S

www.maiwa.com/index.html

AUSTRALIA
http://www.silksational.com.au/

Suppliers list from Australian Silkworm

http://www.dyepot.co.nz/products/dyes.html (Ask for green label Jaquard
Dyes)

www.silksational.com.au

http://www.australiansilkworm.com/artlinks.html#suppliers-oz

http://www.dyeman.com/

NEW ZEALAND
http://www.procolour.co.nz/home.html
procolour@xtra.co.nz

EUROPE

Rainbow silks

27, New Rd, Amersham, Bucks. HP6 6LD, England.

http://www.rainbowsilks.co.uk/

Vycombe Arts

Fen Way, Fen Walk, Woodbridge, Suffolk. IP12 4AS, England.

Art Express

Index House,70 Burley Rd, Leeds LS3 1JX

www.artexpress.co.uk/
http://www.candlemakers.co.uk/textile/textframe.html