Thursday, June 30, 2011

Surface Design - Online Learning Opportunity

Do you have some fibre art supplies languishing in a drawer? Many of the students I have met through Quilt University have said they collect supplies but often don't know how to use them.  If you have Paintstiks and are scared to dive in, I have the class for you!

Fun with Paintstiks is a 4-session workshop that starts on July 8th. There is plenty of time for you to work through the exercises - our classroom will not close until August 20th.

You will not make a specific project in this class. Instead, you will work through a series of exercises to learn all about using Shiva® Artist’s Paintstiks to add color to fabric. Outside North America, these are called Markal Paintstiks - same product, different name. You are not limited to cotton quilting fabric. You can use silk, polyester, sheers - almost anything goes in this class.

You will try most of the exercises on paper in a sketchbook before working with fabric. This will give you a reference that you can refer to for future work. 


Paintstiks are made of wax, linseed oil and pigment, similar to artist’s oil paints but in a semi-solid stick form. They look like jumbo crayons, but are slightly softer than wax crayons. When the paints are not being used, a thin skin forms to keep the paint from drying out. Once this skin is removed, they are similar to lipstick in consistency. 

You will need a table to work on. You will need space for your sketchbook, several pieces of fabric and an area for your materials and supplies.  As you work through the exercies I will ask questions for you to consider and you will have many techniques to try.


At the end of the workshop you will have unique fabrics that you have created YOURSELF - wonderful supplies to use in your future artwork.

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