Earth Paint Tutorial Part C

Earth Paint Tutorial

Part C

Materials:

Photos for inspiration (see materials list in Part A)
Cotton or linen fabrics in white or other plain colours, not too dark (new or
recycled)
Variety of brushes (various sizes, round and/or chisel)
Mark making tools (eg. corks, cardboard tubes, dowel, sticks, old credit cards
etc.)
Masking tape
Old newspapers
Prepared ground soils, dry
Stiff paint brush
Water for clean-up
Paper towel and/or wet wipes for spills, hands and/or blotting)

Method:

a. Select 3 different (sieved) soils which you prepared earlier during Parts A and B, placing 2 teaspoons of each in separate little pots or jars. Add small amounts of soy milk and stir with an old teaspoon until the paint has a creamy consistency.

b. Choose 3 brushes in different sizes - I like to use the chisel-ended type, but just use what you have. Round brushes are fine too. Also have a jar of water handy.

c. Select some pieces of fabric. I used 3 pieces of linen in different colours (dark, medium, light), each measuring 15 cm x 15 cm, or 6 in x  6 in. Use scraps from your stash, or recycle old cotton sheets etc. Cellulose fabrics work well, eg. cotton, linen, calico etc.

d. Tape down each piece of fabric onto newspaper or plastic to hold it steady and to protect your work surface.

e. Using different brushes, randomly and freely paint straight or wavy lines onto your fabrics. Try making dots with different sized brushes, or stamping paint onto the cloth with a cork as shown in the video.

f. Try different shapes and patterns, stippling, stripes, and so on.

g. Alter the thickness of the paint for different effects. Thinner paints will stain the fabric more subtly.

h. Allow the fabrics to dry thoroughly, then brush off any loose particles with your hands or a stiff paint brush.

Notes:

I use earth paints on work that won't be washed. However soy is a protein which helps bind the natural colour to the fabric, so if you need to wash your fabric, do it gently by hand in cold water. Do not soak.

(c) Rita Summers

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we operate in northern Tasmania. We would also like to pay our respects to Elders past, present and future.