Setacolor Sun Painting

Sun Painting With Setacolor Transparent Fabric Paint

Setacolor Sun Painted Ferns

PRODUCT INFORMATION…

Setacolor fabric paints are made in France. They are available in Transparent, Opaque and Shimmer colours. It is only the Setacolor Transparent Paints that are light sensitive and therefore used for sun painting.

Because the transparent paints are light sensitive, blocking out the light with an object placed on the wet painted fabric results in a pale image of the object as the paint dries.

The paints are water based so brushes and other tools may simply be washed for clean up. Implements must be washed before the paint has dried or it is not removable.

FABRICS AND PREPARATION...

Setacolor may be used on all natural fabrics. A blend of at least 50% cotton and synthetic may also be used but the colours will be a little less vibrant and the colours less resistant to washing. Use fabrics that have not been treated with surface finishes such as soil resistant as they prevent the paint from bonding to the fiber.

Fabrics should be pre washed and ironed flat prior to paint application.

Place the fabric on a smooth piece of plastic or on a board or piece of cardboard covered with plastic.

SUN PAINTING PRINTING OBJECTS…

Any object that will lie very flat on the painted fabric is good for sun prints. The purpose is to block out the light entirely. Objects that are not flat down of the fabric will have blurred edges.

Soft leaves such as ferns or maple leaves may be pressed or ironed between layers of paper to flatten. Stiff leaves like laurel and evergreen needles are harder to make lie perfectly flat.

Cheesecloth can be pulled into abstract shapes, grid patterns from screens or rug grabbers, laces or paper doilies all make good prints.

Designs may also be cut from cardboard or contact paper.

Other ideas are coins, rubber bands, paperclips, pens, pencils, cutlery, scissors, buttons, thread, string, dried pasta, cereal or rice, feathers, dried and pressed flowers, seashells and starfish.

PREPARING THE COLOURS…

Deep rich colours are perfect for sharp image contrast. Use pastel background colours for subtle image contrast.

Dilute the chosen colours with about 50% water. Use more water for pastel colours.

PAINTING THE FABRIC…

Have the colours and objects ready before beginning to paint.

Moisten the fabric before applying the paint using a sponge brush or spray bottle. Once wet the fabric will "stick" to the smooth, waterproof painting surface. The wetter the fabric the more the colours will blend.

Apply the colours with sponges, sponge brushes or large paint brushes. Apply the predominant colour first using long smooth strokes, leave unpainted areas for the other colours.

Place the prepared objects on the wet painted fabric. With your finger carefully push the objects tightly against the fabric, since the fabric is wet they should almost stick to the surface.

Leave to dry in the sun if painted outside or move outside to dry in direct sunlight.

OTHER DRYING OPTIONS...

Although the sharpest prints are obtained using direct sunlight these others will also make a print.

Heat lamps such as those used by restaurants to keep food warm.

Sun lamps.

Lights used to grow plants indoors.

The fabric may be placed in front of a large window until completely dry.

OTHER PAINTED EFFECTS...

	Crunching... Paint the fabric then crunch into a small bunch. Place in the sun to dry. The result is an interesting "crackled" effect on the fabric.
	Rubber Bands… After applying the paint to the fabric, secure rubber bands around various small sections. This will result in interesting circular designs with spiky lines.
	Salt... After applying paint and patterns to the fabric, sprinkle salt onto the wet paint. Leave until completely dry. Large grains of salt will make definite marks, table salt a mottled effect. To lessen the salt marks let the fabric partially dry before applying the salt. Keep in mind that if the fabric is too dry the salt will not make a design.
	Contact Paper... Contact paper can be used to cut patterns from for Sun Painting.
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