A bright approach to paper batik

Arts & Activities, March, 2004 by Gail Elizabeth Loder

I have always liked doing both fabric and paper batiks. Nevertheless, my past attempts have led to work that looked dull and dirty. As an artist, I have always been drawn to the element of color. Oil pastels provide a wide range of intense colors that offer a medium between drawing and painting. However, oil pastels can be difficult to work with as they are very messy and tend to smear. To solve this problem I developed a technique that incorporated the bright colors of oil pastels applied to distinct areas that keep the colors from smearing.

Students select a subject matter for their paper batik. They have a choice between still life, visual images in art books or art journals, or their imagination. I have had outstanding results by students who have done simple pieces and others who have done complex pieces. Next, each student in my Art I class (typically freshmen and sophomores) is given a 22" x 28" piece of white railroad board. Each student draws a border approximately 2 1/2-inches wide around the outside perimeter of his or her board. Most students draw a straight line, though some of my students draw curved and zigzag borders. Students then draw their subject matter on their board, leaving the border free. Students can use dark, thick lines and erase mistakes as this is a very forgiving project and the lines will eventually be covered up with ink.

The students then color within the lines of their picture, using oil pastels. One of the keys to this project is for the students to leave a blank space of approximately 1/16 inch on either side of their lines (for a total of a 1/8-inch line) as they color in their paper batik. If my students are having difficulty leaving this space, I have them draw over the lines with a piece of chalk. Then I tell them not to apply any oil pastel on the chalk line. This 1/8-inch-wide line, holds each color.

I remove the black oil pastel from each set of colors, as it will be lost when the paper batik is inked. All other colors are permissible and encouraged. I like my students to work with sets that have at least 24 colors. Students with less drawing experience will usually use their colors flat, while the more confident students will blend colors within the spaces created by the lines. Both techniques work equally well and both give excellent results.

After completing the interior section of the board, the students move to the border, which they drew off earlier. The border should enhance the interior drawing. Students might select an element from their drawing to repeat in their border. My students have designed borders that have clouds, swirls, postage stamps and tessellations. The border should be simple and not distract from the focal point but complement it. Again the border design is drawn and tilled in with oil pastel, leaving a space of approximately 1/8 inch wherever there is a line.

After all the railroad board has been filled in with lines, spaces and oil pastel. the student is ready for the finishing touch. This is the step that will hide mistakes, enhance the colors, and make the work stand out. The student applies black India ink with a small paintbrush to the 1/8-inch line or narrow space between the blocks of oil pastel. It is acceptable if a little ink gets on the oil pastel as it will bubble up and create a nice batik-like texture. After the ink dries, the paper batik is ready for a critique and display. Each student has an opportunity to put his or her work on an easel and discuss it in front of his/her peers.

This project is highly successful. Students of all abilities gain excellent results. My students' paper batiks have received rave reviews from fellow students, teachers and administrators. Some of my students have even won ribbons and scholarships for their paper batiks. I would encourage you to take a bright approach to paper batik. This winning assignment is sure to delight your students and build their self-confidence.

MATERIALS

* Railroad board

* Subject matter

* Pencils, chalk (optional) and oil pastels

* India ink

* Cups for ink

* Small brushes

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Students will ...

* create a successful piece of art with goad compositional qualities.

* interpret shape and form with a contour line.

* observe line, shape and color relationships.

* gain self-esteem and self-confidence.

* make choices regarding color in order to create a paper batik that achieves unity and balance.

* gain experience in using oil pastels.

Gail Elizabeth Loder is the head of the Fine Arts Department at Rabun Gap Nacoochee School in Rabun Gap, Ga.