crayon batik
Crayon batik is an excellent alternative to the Indonesian form of batik that uses clear hot wax to create a design. In this process, crayons are melted and then painted on to the fabric to create color and design. Instead of multiple dye baths your crayons will serve to color the piece and you will only use one dye bath to produce the crazing pattern that is a signature of the batik process.
This was the first form of batik that I learned when I was in middle school. And in my experience, I find that it is an excellent project for older children who are old enough to use hot wax, but perhaps still too young to work on a full-fledged batik tulis piece.
In order to do this project, you will first need to save up enough crayons to melt them down into enough wax to paint with. Ask your local schools or daycares if you can have their old, broken crayons or perhaps post an ad on craigslist or other local media offering to pick them up. In return, you might want to offer to teach a workshop on crayon batik to those who help you find crayons. Once you have obtained an ample amount of crayons you will need to separate them by color and remove any wrappers still on the crayons.
With crayons in hand you are now ready to start your crayon batik! Here is a quick tutorial to get you started.
This was the first form of batik that I learned when I was in middle school. And in my experience, I find that it is an excellent project for older children who are old enough to use hot wax, but perhaps still too young to work on a full-fledged batik tulis piece.
In order to do this project, you will first need to save up enough crayons to melt them down into enough wax to paint with. Ask your local schools or daycares if you can have their old, broken crayons or perhaps post an ad on craigslist or other local media offering to pick them up. In return, you might want to offer to teach a workshop on crayon batik to those who help you find crayons. Once you have obtained an ample amount of crayons you will need to separate them by color and remove any wrappers still on the crayons.
With crayons in hand you are now ready to start your crayon batik! Here is a quick tutorial to get you started.
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Materials
Several crayons sorted by color with labels removed Brushes that you don’t mind ruining. Natural fibers are best. Electric frying pan or wax melter Several tin cans with labels removed Cotton muslin fabric |
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Your first step will be to prepare all your materials. Put each color of crayons in a separate tin can. Place your tin cans into the electric frying pan and add enough water to the bottom of the pan that it will simmer around the cans to heat them up, but not so much that they bob around and tip over.
Once your frying pan is ready it is time to sketch out your design on to the fabric. When you are satisfied with your design you can plug in your frying pan and melt your crayons.
Paint each section of your fabric with the desired color of crayon. Keep in mind that with crayon batik, the crayons are what creates the color instead of multiple dye baths.
Once you are satisfied with your crayon painting it is time for the piece to go into the dye bath. Because you are using the dye primarily to achieve the crazing pattern you will need to dye the piece a fairly dark color.
After the piece is dyed and has dried you will need to sandwich it between several layers of newspaper to iron the wax out of the piece.
Once your frying pan is ready it is time to sketch out your design on to the fabric. When you are satisfied with your design you can plug in your frying pan and melt your crayons.
Paint each section of your fabric with the desired color of crayon. Keep in mind that with crayon batik, the crayons are what creates the color instead of multiple dye baths.
Once you are satisfied with your crayon painting it is time for the piece to go into the dye bath. Because you are using the dye primarily to achieve the crazing pattern you will need to dye the piece a fairly dark color.
After the piece is dyed and has dried you will need to sandwich it between several layers of newspaper to iron the wax out of the piece.
