Shiva Batik Painting

Dimension:
36x30 inches

Batik painting is an ancient and beautiful art form. It has been practiced in India for over 2100 years now. Batik painting is usually done on cotton and silk fabrics. Use of single, dual and multi colored vegetable dyes makes the final batik product look attractive and eye catching.

The process of batik painting involves three processes viz waxing, dyeing and de-waxing. The first step includes giving the cotton cloth a thorough washing and to remove the starch. The cloth is then dried, ironed and stretched on a wooden frame. The second step includes making a rough charcoal sketch which serves as a guide for the painting. The design develops gradually with each coat of waxing.

The third process is a pretty lengthy one. It includes the application of the wax that is a protective agent in the dyeing process. The wax is a melted mixture of paraffin, resin and yellow beeswax and is poured into a brass shaped pen called Tjanting. The Tjanting is a brass pen shaped is like a small cup with single or double spout. This pen is used in coloring the negative way by filling the space where the painter does not want the color to appear. The process is quite tedious and has to be done with care. Thus for each and every different color to be used on the fabric the painter has to use the Tjanting pen and the protective wax ink.

Once this is done, he can use the required color to dye that area. When that area has been adequately colored and dried, the fabric can be gently washed with a special liquid and followed by lukewarm water. This process of waxing, dyeing and dewaxing can be repeated multiple times till the entire batik design or fabric has been completed. Ideally, this process should begin with light colors and end with dark colors.

After, the painter completes this process for each and every color that he has used; he can wash the waxed piece in boiling water. This process can be repeated often till the entire wax has been removed from the fabric. This can be followed by application of colors or dyes to the painting using a brush. In case of very large areas, the cloth is removed from the frame and dipped in a basin of dye.

The final stage includes the removal of wax residue and the fixing of colors, immersing the cloth into boiling water with a small amount of detergent. The cloth is then rinsed in cold water. The complete painting is then dipped in a diluted solution of sulphuric acid to give the colors permanency. Several handmade Batik tapestries are made of various kinds of hand woven threads to give it a specific quality. This art form is three-dimensional and has features of depth and texture making the entire fabric an attractive piece of art.

Batik print is done on saris, wall hangings, bed spreads, cushion covers, shawls, etc. Each of them are attractive and enhance the room in which they are placed. They can be available in various handloom stores, boutiques and crafts exhibitions across the country.

Designer Ganesha Batik Painting

Shiva Batik Painting

Ganesha Batik Painting