Post on 01-Nov-2014
description
Heraldic Silk Painting
Dominvs Tiberivs Ivlivs Rvfvs
tazboyvt@yahoo.com
802.274.1312
Heraldic Silk Painting
• Period Technique?
• Designing the Standard
• Materials
• Preparing the Silk
• Resist
• Dye
• Heat Setting
Is it Period? • Serti painting is not believed
to be period but it is economical and perfect for making brilliant banners that float in minimal breeze.
• The serti (corral) technique uses resists. Medieval silk painting used paint rather than dye and the silk used was much heavier than habotai silk.
• So, while not a strictly period technique….it works!
• Stirler, G. (n.d.). Silk Painting. Gutenberg School of Scribes. Retrieved May 10, 2011, from http://gutenbergscribes.chivalrysports.com/silk-1.shtml
Designing the Standard
• Hrynkiw’s site provides great research and example pics of what was done in period.
Hrynkiw, D. (1999, March 11). Medieval Flags and Banners. Retrieved May 9, 2011, from http://donna.hrynkiw.net/sca/flags/index.html
Designing the Standard
• Another good resource on standard and flag heraldry
• Flying Heraldry, The Heraldry Society of Scotland - UK Heraldry. (n.d.). . Retrieved May 9, 2011, from http://www.heraldry-scotland.co.uk/flyingherald.html
Designing the Standard
• Terms: There are many types of medieval flags. A look at the Hrynkiw page details the various types. The long, flowing types of heraldic display that I usually make are standards.
• On the standard itself, there is a ‘fly’ and a ‘hoist’.
• The hoist usually notes the bearer’s kingdom or nation. The body of the standard shows the arms/device, badge/badges and livery colors of the bearer. A standard is read from the hoist to the fly, in descending order.
• Most standards I make use, in order; The Eastern Tyger, arms, mottos, badges/armies.
• Some kingdoms have laws on how big a standard may be for each rank of gentle. The East does not.
Hightower, B. (2006, October 6). Silk Pennants. Retrieved May 9, 2011, from http://hightowercrossbows.com/pennanthowto.htm
Materials
• Materials available at Dharmatrading.com
• Helpful people, tutorials on the site helpful
To make a Standard
• 8 – 10oz Habotai silk scarf blank (22x90 inches is a good start)
• Water-based gutta (resist)
• Applicator bottles and tips
• Dye-na-Flo colors
• Brushes (many work, Sumi work brilliantly)
• Frame and hooks (or wood, clamps, safety pins and tacks)
• Iron
• Dryer
• (optional) Q-Tips, rubbing alcohol, water, silk cord
• Set-up tends to run about $100 or so, but can be done cheaper if MacGyver-ish
Step 1: Create the design and Transfer it to the Silk
• Rinse and let silk dry.
• Iron it to remove wrinkles or creases.
• Lay it out on a long table.
• 8 – 10 oz habotai silk scarves work great: Just trace from the image onto the silk
• I often draw my designs on large sheets of contractor’s paper.
• I use a light pencil for designs-transfer. I’ve experimented with alcohol and fabric pens, but they tend to bleed and affect dye-retention.
• Don’t use a sharpie!
Step 2: The Frame
• There are several options for frames. The key is to stretch the silk as tightly as it can get.
• Bottom right shows a wooden frame, using safety pins and tacks to stretch the silk.
• My knight’s wife uses a staple gun!
• I use the Easy Fix frame, above right.
Step 3: Applying the Resist
• Apply the gutta resist (using an applicator bottle and appropriate tip)
• Trace the pencil lines to create a solid barrier – the silk dye will wick along the fabric, but stop where it meets a solid gutta line
• Learn to draw in mid-air • Allow 30 minutes – 2
hours for the gutta to dry
Stirler, G. (n.d.). Silk Painting. Gutenberg School of Scribes. Retrieved May 10, 2011, from http://gutenbergscribes.chivalrysports.com/silk-1.shtml
Examples of Gutta-Stage
Step 4: Apply the dye • Do all of one color at a time. Start with the lighter
colors and move to darker ones. I tend to work inside to outside. Mistakes will happen – it’ll be on a pole!
• The most difficult part of dying is doing large sections -- especially large fields with detailed charges. The silk will show where the edge of a color dries, leaving water marks where the borders of brush strokes are. Work from one side to the other, quickly.
• Work quickly and accurately. Don’t paint up to the gutta line. The silk dye will wick, so there should be a ½ to ¼ inch between the brush and the gutta line.
• The color shows on both sides and is pretty bright. Dye-na-Flow is a dye that acts like a paint. It’s a good compromise between color and ease of use.
• The dye must be completely dry before removing the silk from the frame. Depending on the weather, it could be a few hours to a few days.
More Process Examples
Finished Gonfalon
Achievement of Arms for Tiberivs Ivlivs Rvfvs
Gonfalon for HG Andreas Eisfalke von Ulm
Step 5: Heat Setting the Dye and Resist
Stirler, G. (n.d.). Silk Painting. Gutenberg School of Scribes. Retrieved May 10, 2011, from http://gutenbergscribes.chivalrysports.com/silk-1.shtml
• Silk blanks have finished edges – exceedingly handy.
• For edges that will be trimmed, use a thick line of resist. It acts as a permanent rip-stop.
Heat Setting
• The dye and resist require heat treatment to become permanent.
• Using an iron, apply heat to the silk to set the gutta.
• Once resist is set (a few minutes, moving, over all areas), lightly rinse the silk and put the standard in the dryer for about 45 – 60 minutes
Edges
Advanced Techniques
• Different Resists
• Wet-on-Wet
• Alcohol/Wet
• Salt
• No-Flow
• Dark on Light
• Light on Dark
Stirler, G. (n.d.). Silk Painting. Gutenberg School of Scribes. Retrieved May 10, 2011, from http://gutenbergscribes.chivalrysports.com/silk-1.shtml
Salt
Alcohol Shading
Shading Effects and Alcohol-in-Dye
Additional Uses of the Techniques
References
Flying Heraldry, The Heraldry Society of Scotland - UK Heraldry. (n.d.). . Retrieved May 9, 2011, from http://www.heraldry-scotland.co.uk/flyingherald.html Hightower, B. (2006, October 6). Silk Pennants. Retrieved May 9, 2011, from http://hightowercrossbows.com/pennanthowto.htm Hrynkiw, D. (1999, March 11). Medieval Flags and Banners. Retrieved May 9, 2011, from http://donna.hrynkiw.net/sca/flags/index.html Stirler, G. (n.d.). Silk Painting. Gutenberg School of Scribes. Retrieved May 10, 2011, from http://gutenbergscribes.chivalrysports.com/silk-1.shtml