Batik

A Batik is a type of white resistant dying using cloth. Traditionally, an artist has a pen like instrument that had melted wax. As they draw their design on the cloth, the wax is dispersed and then left to dry. Once dried the cloth is dyed. Once this step is complete the wax is removed by scraping or boiling the cloth and what is left is a beautiful design. 

Although you would not give a child hot wax, they can still create their own Batik using white unbleached 100% cotton cloth cut to a 12 X 12 square, Elmer's Glue, non washable tempera paint, and a paint brush. 

The first thing that you will do is create a design. You can draw this onto your white fabric using a pencil and you will trace your design using Elmer's Glue and let dry. Make sure that your design is big and there is not a lot of small components for this will make it hard for you to outline in glue. Then you will paint your Batik and also let dry. Once yourBatik has dried overnight you will rinse out the glue using hot water and scraping. Once done you again let it dry. Then you have a beautiful work of art. 

While doing this art project I discovered a lot of things. First, use a paint brush to apply your glue. I applied the glue using the bottle, but then I used a small paintbrush to create a clean outline. Also when you are painting apply a lot of paint and put it on thick. This will ensure that your paint will saturate your Batik and when you wash it out the color will still remain. Also you lay it as flat as you can when drying. This will prevent the Batik from wrinkling. 

This project can be a little messy, but is also easy to clean as well. Make sure that you line the tables with plastic bags or paper for easy cleanup because the paint with bleed through the cloth. Also this is a multiple day project. There is a lot of drying time, but each step does not take long to complete. Once done each art work is so beautiful.