BATIK

PAINTINGS

OF INDIA

Many forms of exquisite paintings exists in India from ancient times, Indian artisans has developed its own schools of art paintings as well as successfully grasped styles and forms of other cultures and societies like Kalamkari and Persian Miniature paintings. From north to South, India abounds in different varieties of paintings, one of a painting form that is greatly admired is Indian batik art. This art of painting on the cloth is being poplar over years. The history of Batiks can be traced back to as many as 2100 years back. Done usually on a cotton or a silk fabric, this form of painting uses dyes with a controlled use of wax and colors which makes the cloth much appealing. Batik dyers use single, double and multi colored dyes to make the batik fabric exclusive. 

Materials Required

 ·         Cotton or silk cloth - take a piece of cloth according to your choice.
·         Dyes - Usually napthol dyes are used, but other dye which is available in the market can be used). One can use colors as per the demand of the art work.
·         Wax - Bee wax, paraffin wax, resin (gum)
·         Brush - A small water color brush, a 1/2" size and a 2" size of the ordinary household paint brush. These brushes can be used only for waxing.
·         Vessel to heat wax
·         Plastic bucket or big bowls to mix colors
·         A frame to fix the cloth
·         Gloves

Process of Batik Painting

Batik is a time taking process but worth while. The more time we devote the better is the result. here we re giving a brief note of the painting process, the impressive art form starts mainly with:

a) Waxing
b) Dyeing
c) De-waxing

The cotton cloth is firstly washed on which the artist wish to paint. The cloth is washed in order to starch it. After removing the starch starch it is dried, ironed and stretched on a wooden frame to paint. Some people make a rough sketch to have a basic idea of the motif to be drawn and painted, then comes the most important part which is time consuming also. The wax is applied to the cloth and used a protective agent while dyeing the fabric. This job has to be done with much care. The painter uses Tjanting pen to apply wax and the wax ink.

After this process the colors are put to paint that area. Once this is done, the cloth is gently washed with a special liquid and finally in lukewarm water. The same process can be repeated to remove the the remaining wax. To get that perfect design the dyers often have to make controlled procedure of waxing, dyeing & de waxing. Generally lighter to darker shades of colors are applied respectively.

In the final stage, the cloth is rinsed in cold water and the paintings are dipped in a solution of sulphuric acid. This process fastens the color on the fabric. This form of art is remarkable for its quality of being three dimensional giving it depth and the texture of the fabric looks very gorgeous. 

Clothes in Batik Print

Now days batik is commonly being used on different types of items to name a few are

a) Saris
b) Stoles, Duppattas
c) Tunics, Salwar Suits,
d) Wall Hangings
e) Bed Spreads
f) Cushion Covers
g) Shawls
h) Scarves

To add to the grace and elegance to the fabric the most popular and artistic expression is batik wall painting art, Indian batiks painters usually selects the themes of Indian Gods, landscapes & city scape, abstract works and daily life scenes of rural India. These pieces can be found at various hand-loom centers, emporiums, handicraft shops and various online shopping stores of India.

Gangesindia Batik Paintings - http://www.gangesindia.com/paintings/batik.html