Friday, January 22, 2010

Watercolor Batik


Inspired by various batik post on Deb Ward's http://debwardart.blogspot.com/  and Sandy Maudlin's http://sandymaudlin.blogspot.com/ blogs, I decided to give this one a try.  The photo is by Jane James and she had posted it on Watercolor Workshop several years ago and allowed the group members to use the photo.   You may have seen several beautiful watercolors based on this photo by various artists.  When I looked at the photo it seemed to cry out to be painted in watercolor batik style.  It has taken me several months off and on to complete and somewhere along the way I seemed to loose track of my values but it is finally finished.  I think I probably should have choosen a less complicated photo to practice watercolor batik but I do love a challenge.  It is painted on rice paper and wax is used as a resist.  Once the wax is ironed off of the painting you are left with a lovely transluent watercolor that has wonderful texture. You can click on the picture to see it larger. 

22 comments:

debwardart said...

Vicki - this is to die for. It puts me to shame - you did a fantastic job!!!!!

Christiane Kingsley said...

Vicki, this is gorgeous! Congratulations!
Did you add ink or dark watercolors at the end before removing the wax?
I hope that you will decide to do more of these batiks.
A few months ago, I went out and purchased the wax, the rice paper and even a tiny electric frying pan, everything I need to try this technique; somehow, I still have not tried it. I sincerely doubt that anyone could have a better first batik than this one. How large is it?

Vicki Greene said...

Deb thank you so much. You always make batik sound so easy and fun on your blog post that I just had to give it a try. I have another picture picked out to try but it is smaller and less complicated.
Christiane thank you! Yes I bravely crinkled up my painting and then added waterproof ink diluted with a bit of water to the broken wax while holding my breath - lol. It is approx. 14x20 inches. Jump in and give batik at try, it really is fun.

Micah Neff said...

WOW..I LOVE it! You did an outstnding job!

Madelaine said...

This is stunning! I absolutely love the textures in the paper :)

Teresa Mallen said...

Girlfriend you do love a challenge indeed! And WOO-HOO did you ever pull it off!! Congratulations. This is absolutely gorgeous!!! WOW!! I see a lot of the same old stuff on blogs but this is fresh and captivating! I'm looking forward to the next one!

Sandy Maudlin said...

PERFECT SUBJECT and so well executed. I'm so happy that you got such great results the first batik. It's certainly tricky to get each layer of paint a bit darker, but you really carried it off. You make me smile! Now for the next one......maybe with less control of the colors to add even more intrigue? This will look fabulous framed, too.

RH Carpenter said...

Wow, you did a great job on this - it really did lend itself to the batik look!!

Judith Angell Meyer said...

Oh WOW! Vicki this is beautiful. I just love how you caught the sun in all the right places. You are one brave soul, but it REALLY paid off for you. Looking forward to your next one.

~J~

Jane said...

The light in this is just wonderful! Great job!

Vicki Greene said...

Thank you so much for the comments and encouragement Micah, Madelaine, Teresa, Sandy, Rhonda, Judith and Jane. Sandy thank you for the information/instruction that you share - now if I can figure out the taped painting thing........

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Vicki, I just came upon your blog and am blown away by this painting. It is fabulous. I'm glad you tackled such a difficult subject. I think you came out on top!

StilinStudio said...

WOW oh WOW!! This is fabulous, Vicki! I'm so impressed and inspired to try the technique someday! Absolutely beautiful work!!!

Watercolors by Susan Roper said...

Vicki, when Jane posted this photo for us to paint I was too chicken to try it even in just watercolor! But look at what you went and did! Like I said at WcW, you are something else!

Vicki Greene said...

Thank you so much Elizabeth, Stilin Studio and Susan!
Thanks for stopping by Elizabeth and taking the time to comment. Stilin Studio it is good to hear from you. What are you up to? Haven't seen a post on your blog in a while.
Susan, I had to laugh when I read your comment because I did the photo in batik because I was to chicken to do it in regular watercolor. The photo had a person in it and I wasn't sure I could paint a person.
I appreciate the encouragement everyone!

Sandeep Khedkar said...

great work!

Krista Hasson said...

Vicki, this is stunning, the texture and movement is wonderful.

Vicki Greene said...

Thank you Sandeep and Krista. I appreciate you stopping by.

Barbra Joan said...

Vicki, This is an amazing piece. Color, texture, movement , it has it all! You can be very proud, It's just outstanding. I've always loved the look of batik.

farmerjulie said...

Hi Vicki. your work is amazing! You are so talented!!

Vicki Greene said...

Thanks Barbra, I appreciate your comments.
Farmerjulie thanks so much for stopping by.

Jocelyn T. Bichard said...

I love what you have done with this painting.
I live to visit tropical places in the winter and you have captured the warm feeling that the Tropics bring!!1