BATIK WAX
Batik wax is the most popular and traditional resist medium for creating batik. There are a few different types of wax that can be used for creating the resist pattern. Each one has it’s own advantages and disadvantages. Let’s talk a little bit about them and you can decide which one is appropriate for your particular project.
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Batik Wax
This is the most popular and widely used wax that is used by batik artists. It is a blend of paraffin and micro-crystalline waxes. It is specially formulated to produce a lovely crazing pattern while still being able to stand up to hot water and handling without flaking off or degrading. It also has a nice smell and is pleasant to work with. The down side is that it is made using a petroleum product so if you are trying to use all natural materials or be more earth conscious this may not be the product for you. |
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Beeswax
Beeswax is perfect for the artist who prefers using natural materials in their work. It is also an excellent choice for those who are trying to eliminate as much of the crazing, the crackle pattern that is common in batik, as much as possible in their work. It also has a wonderful smell that makes it very pleasant to work with. The downside to using beeswax for your batik work is that it is very sticky which sometimes makes it difficult to work with. It also tends to be extremely expensive which might make it cost prohibitive for a very prolific artist. |
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Soy Wax
Soy wax is another natural medium that can be used to create a resist for batik. If you are looking for a natural material that is also vegan then soy wax may be the product you are looking for. It typically comes in flakes. The down side to using soy wax is that it degrades very easily and causing crazing that, instead of adding to your piece, ends up taking away from the picture and making it unrecognizable.
Soy wax is another natural medium that can be used to create a resist for batik. If you are looking for a natural material that is also vegan then soy wax may be the product you are looking for. It typically comes in flakes. The down side to using soy wax is that it degrades very easily and causing crazing that, instead of adding to your piece, ends up taking away from the picture and making it unrecognizable.
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Paraffin
Paraffin is the least expensive material that can be used to create a resist for batik work. It can be purchase in the canning aisle at the supermarket. Like soy wax, however, it tends to create very heavy crazing which might not be ideal for your project. |
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Keep in mind that these waxes can even be blended to create a wax that is perfect for the particular project that you are work on. When creating a perfect wax blend it can be all about trial and error, so get to trying and erring!
