03 April 2017

Trying to make a sunset sky

I have a commission to make a sunset landscape. I went online looking for an inspiration. I liked this one and set about trying to paint the sky with Dye-Na-Flow fabric paints.


I tried Rayon, Rayon lawn, Polyester shantung, haboti. and two different weight cottons. 


What I ended up doing was wasting a lot of paint



Way too much wicking and even without the wicking I wasn't getting the soft colors I was trying to achieve.


Stopped before I wasted even more paint on this one







Then I tried some painted fusible web. I'll iron this on various colors and white and see how it shakes out.


Options I am considering are using acrylic on canvas or heavy cotton OR perhaps a watercolor with fusible on the back to sturdy it up to accept some stitches. We'll see.
Back to the drawing board


15 comments:

  1. This post brings a lot of questions to my mind! Why are your colors in straight lines? What is wrong with wicking, as that is how the light in the sky blends? Dilute paints and paint wet-on-wet? Start pale and add more color...there are so many ways to experiment with this! Good luck finding the right combo for your project!

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    1. These were experiments so I did the colors in straight lines. I hated the look of wicking when comparing it to my "inspirational" photo.

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  2. Hard to replicate! Wonder if a light wash of white would add the softer tones you are trying for. Question: does the fabric need to remain soft? If not, I would switch to textile paints where you can mix colors and dilute if needed. I would also switch to making swatches to test, rather than use up larger pieces of fabric. You'll get it, I know that!

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  3. Have you tried watercolor paints with or without textile medium?

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    1. I actually thought about painting the sky with water colors on paper and then just adding fabric below the paper.

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    2. You can also use watercolors on fabric. Ironing makes it permanent.

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  4. Beth
    How about using MX dyes on silk. I love the "watercolour effects you can get by painting with the dyes and they blend beautifully.
    Good Luck with whatever you choose. I'm sure it will work out.

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    1. Thanks Yvonne. That sounds like a great plan.

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    2. Thanks. Thats good to know about the ironing.

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  5. Hi Beth
    If you are interested I will send you a cd workshop by Mickey Lawler of Skydyes.com. It is not my cup of tea...but it is all about painting skies! Just email me privately.

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  6. Looks great! I think you can also use small pieces of fusible web ...

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  7. So many options...Fun is in the journey as well as arriving, yes? Color!

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    1. Yes. That was the most experimenting I have dome for a while.

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  8. It's great that you have such a tool box of techniques in your head. I think some of your results look like flames.

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    1. You're right which is why they failed the "technique test"

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