Some of My Work on Clay Plates using Fabric Color

African Tribal Art On a Clay Plate

Lord Buddha

Dancing in the Moonlight

Goddess Durga and Ganesha

Teen Konya (The Three Sisters)

Radha Lost in Thought of Krishna

A Beginner's Guide to Fabric Painting

Painting on fabric is easy and inexpensive, and it opens up exciting new creative horizons for sewers and quilters, fine arts painters, scrapbookers, and mixed-media artists..

If you've never tried painting on fabric before, you may have questions about how to get started. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about fabric painting.

What kinds of paint can I use to paint on fabric?

Oil paints and acrylic paints can both be used for fabric painting, but acrylic fabric paints are much easier for a beginner to use than oils. They are inexpensive, they don't require any chemical solvents for cleanup (unlike oil paints), and they are easy to find at art stores, large craft stores, or even quilt shops.

What's in an acrylic fabric paint?

Acrylic paints consist of colors mixed into an acrylic fluid that is designed for use on fabric. Some acrylic paints are stiff enough to create 3-D brush stroke effects on the fabric. Others are thin and have a watery consistency, like watercolor paints. Acrylic paints can be thinned with water, but that makes the color paler. You can also thin or thicken your paint without changing its color by mixing it with a fluid called fabric medium or gel medium.

What types of fabric can I paint?

Really, you can paint just about any woven, knitted, or nonwoven fabric. The list includes cotton, linen, rayon, wool, silk, most synthetics, terry cloth, and velvet or velveteen. You can also paint with fabric paints on many interfacings, quilt batting, leather, or suede. When in doubt, test the surface before you start a full-scale project.

Can I wash painted fabric? How long will it last?

As long as you follow the paint manufacturer's instructions for drying and curing the paint, most painted fabrics can be washed. The paints will typically last as long as the fabric does. The more gently you wash (hand washing and drip drying instead of machine washing, for instance) the better the paint should wear. For most fabrics, the paint can be machine washed or dry cleaned. To iron acrylic painted fabrics, use a low heat setting.

Do I need other equipment or supplies to paint on fabric?

A set of good acrylic paint brushes, a sponge or two, and whatever stamps, stencils, and other applicators you have around the house (Q-tips, pens, scrunched-up plastic wrap, you name it!) will come in handy. If you want to blend colors, a painter's palette might be useful, although you can also use a china plate for that. You really don't need anything more to get started.

How should I get the fabric ready for painting?

If the fabric is new, always prewash it to remove any sizing, which can keep the paint from adhering properly to the fabric. You may also want to protect your work surface with newspaper or cardboard to keep paint from getting on things you don't want to paint.

What's a good first project for me to try?

How about adding some pizzazz to a pair of canvas sneakers, a silk scarf (you may want to try a paint specially formulated for use on silk,) a t-shirt or sweatshirt, a canvas tote bag, a baseball cap, or a small wall quilt? The possibilities are endless. Start with something small and inexpensive, so you can experiment without fear.

Different Styles of Fabric Painting

Fabric painting is a unique art form that is an age-old tradition in India. Today, the usage of the fabric painting has revolutionized to such an extent that is a popular homemade handcraft. It is practiced as a hobby.

It is the vibrant expression of the painter on the fabrics. Fabric painting can be carved at a very affordable price with simple techniques and procedures. Fabric painting is all about mixing alluring colors and applying heat in proportions. It's very important for the painters t use the right amount of color and heat in order to create a particular form of fabric painting.

Some of the most popular fabric paintings are Siberia, Batik Painting, Silk Screening, Dyeing, Layering and Watercolor Painting. It is the lively expression of fabrics. Many people are practicing this art either as a hobby or for a livelihood. It became a new trend in the clothing line primarily because it is more convenient to use than the dyes as it does not require too heating or steaming.
Fabric painting can be seen adorning ladies dresses, men shirts, hand bags, curtains, wall hangings, cushion covers, upholstery, and more are decorated with the help of the fabric paints. One doesn't need to be an expert in it. Various fabric paints are buyable fro the store shelf. Just a little creativity and sound knowledge on different methods is needed to make fabric paintings.

Fabric paints have non-toxic substances and are definitely safe to use even for children.
Fabric paint ushers a variety of effects such as metallic, opaline, opaque or transparent, which create a distinct texture that only fabric paints can produce.

There's various form of fabric painting techniques used to achieve the fabric paint result like Dark background fabric painting where opaque fabric paint is used to paint the dark surfaces; the Alcohol and Salt Effect is done by dropping alcohol on the fabric paint in order to produce spots that are light on the inside and dark on the edges; the Closing or Fence Painting is produced in a stretched silk outlined with design and painting the spaces inside the design with paint with the use of a line drawing material called the water-based resists; Silk Fabric Paintings produce paints on silk and after the application, the silk paint must be heated and ironed to make the painting permanent; Sun painting is the best for transparent fabrics.

How to Paint your Fabric

Fabric painting is definitely one of the interesting things to do for persons who enjoy fashion and especially clothing.

This painting art though is not the same with dyed fabrics and the outcomes are totally different as well.

It became a new trend in the clothing line primarily because it is more convenient to use than the dyes as it does not require too heating or steaming.

In fact, most fabric paints only require ironing to keep it bonded permanently on the fabric.  Fabric paints containing non-toxic substances as tested and certified are definitely safe to use even for children.

Unlike dyes, fabric paints have a variety of effects that they may be metallic, opaline, opaque or transparent which likewise create a distinct texture only fabric paints can produce.

In order to achieve the fabric paint result that one wants, here is some of the basic fabric painting techniques commonly applied. 

Dark background fabric painting

One of the main concerns of many with respect to painting in fabric is how to cover up the color of dark fabrics for most of the fabric paints are translucent.

It is advised that one must pick up opaque fabric paint when painting on dark surfaces.

The Alcohol and Salt Effect

The alcohol effect is done by dropping alcohol on the fabric paint in order to produce spots that are light on the inside and dark on the edges.

The salt effect on the other hand is done by sprinkling salt on a moist painted fabric causing the salt to absorb the water in surrounding areas and leased pale sweep spots.

The Closing or Fence Painting

It is a technique produced in a stretched silk outlined with design and painting the spaces inside the design with paint with the use of a line drawing material called the water-based resists. The water-based resists outline can be removed through dry clean.

Silk Fabric Painting

Silks are generally very smooth and downy that it is hard for ordinary fabric paints to penetrate on it permanently.

As such, special silk fabric paints are needed to produce paints on silk.  After application of silk paint, it must be heated and ironed to make the painting permanent.

Sun painting

This technique is best for transparent fabrics which are usually done by placing items such as cu-outs from aluminum foils, feathers, leaves and other on a moist painted fabric and allowing it to dry.

The exposed areas of the fabric to the sun would suck those wet paints underneath the covered areas which eventually cause the covered area to look paler.

Lastly, one must remember the basic rule that fabric painting requires ironing not steaming.  Although heating is required to keep the fabric paints permanent, it is important to know that heating refers to ironing when one speaks of fabric paints.

Steaming on the other hand is referred to when one speaks of fabric dyes. Ironing on fabric paint is done by ironing on the back and not directly on the paint. 

It is advisable to set the setting of the iron to cotton and set it for 3- 4 minutes of ironing. 

Some manufacturers have special instructions on how to iron and how to wash items with fabric paints. Then it is also advisable to use a cover to protect your iron board from an untoward transfer of the paint to the ironing board.

All About Fabric Painting

Fabric Painting is not a recent phenomenon, as is commonly believed; actually, the most ancient instance of fabric painting can be dated back to as early as 3000 B.C. All these long years, fabric painting evolved and modified adding into every bit of contemporary art and style. It would not be wrong to say that fabric painting has carved out a special niche for itself in the field of colors and painting. Today many other techniques of fabric painting have been developed around the world.

What make you choose Fabric painting?

Fabric painting is a unique form of painting that finds vibrant expression on the fabrics. Painting on fabrics has now become a popular homemade handcraft and is practiced by much whether as a hobby or as a part of life. The best part of this is that with simple techniques and procedures alluring paintings can be carved out in an affordable cost. It is due to these reasons fabric paintings has a demanding market nowadays.

Where it is used?

Fabric painting is used nowadays in vogue in ladies top, men shirts and ties, hand bangs, upholstery, curtains, wall hangings, cushion covers and more. You don't have to be very adept in painting to become a fabric painter. What you require are some creative skills and solid knowledge on the various methods of fabric paintings. The rest will happen automatically.

How it is done?

Fabric painting is all about mixing colors and applying heat in proportions. The work of a fabric painter is like that of chemist mixing colors and perceiving the reactions. The fun lies in the fact that he or she should know what amount of color and heat to use in order to create a particular form of fabric painting.

Popular forms of fabric painting

There are numerous forms of fabric painting and among them the popular ones are Siberia, batik painting, silk screening, dyeing, layering and watercolor painting.

Amongst all the above mentioned fabric painting forms, dyeing is thought to be the simplest and the most common form. In dyeing, some parts of the fabric are tied and merged into a colored dye solution while some other parts are abstained from dyeing. When folded in a particular shape, a design integrating the colored and the uncolored segments comes up. Batik Painting, done by blending wax and dye is one of the most favored among the fabric painters. In Batik painting, first the fabric is waxed, then dyed and finally de-waxed. Siberia, a Japanese form of tie-dye painting, lures everyone with its pleats, creases, loops, colorful motifs and stitches. Siberia form of fabric painting is a bit tedious and involves an array of processes.

The use of Fabric

Fabric is made from thread and yarn formed together by knitting or weaving. Its texture and strength depend on the origin of the thread. The most commonly used fabric is velvet; the cut of the thread is evenly distributed in this fabric. Canvas is most commonly used in tents and sails and most recently, handbags. Canvas is also used as bases for works of art.

Modern styles in painting to take advantage of the texture and "roughness" of the surface of the canvas. Flannel is most known as a fabric for bed sheets. It is made from wool or cotton wool. Later on, flannel was used as clothing worn in cold weather. This type of fabric is either woven in a plain weave or tight weave.

Without any doubt, it can be said that fabric painting is really making its presence felt. In addition to that, the modern tinge that has been added to this art form is also working like a golden touch. Surely, fabric painting has a very good future.

Boutique Painting in India

Do you know the art of Boutique Paintings in India? It is a unique magic of wax and dye when they are combined on the cloth and this magic is well known as Batik Paintings.

The definition of Boutique means writing with wax in Javanese and its main origin is in the island of Java that is situated in Indonesia.

However, India takes a lot of pride to have this unique art form but one need not forget that this art form got its fame after it arrived in the art schools of Shantiniketan which is situated in Calcutta.

It is really unique when one artist comes to know that wax resist technique is used in this creative art form.

Boutique Paintings literally provide us with a lot of artistic freedom, and therefore, it makes it a choice of most of the artists.

There is a unique technique used in Boutique Paintings, which is known as elementary technique which has been derived before thousands of years and can be easily traced to India, some sorts of Africa, middle eastern countries and various regions of Asia.

History of Boutique Paintings exists since last 2000 years and is considered to be one of the oldest art forms that exists in India.

There are 3 simple steps involved in using Boutique Painting as follows...

1. Waxing.

2. Dyeing.

3. De-waxing, that is removing the wax.

There are also many other processes that are involved in the above 3 major steps as follows...

1. You need to first prepare the cloth.

2. Then trace the designs out there.

3. Then stretch the cloth over the frame.

4. Then wax the particular portion of the cloth where dyeing is not necessary.

5. Then get started with preparation of the dye.

6. Insert the cloth in the dye.

7. Then boil the cloth so that the wax is removed.

8. Then finally wash the cloth completely with soap.

Warli Clay Painting -- DIY

Warli painting is a tribal art form of Maharashtra, India. The word 'warli' is derived from 'warla' meaning a piece of land. Warli paintings are simple and beautiful expressions of the daily life and social events of warli tribe. These paintings were originally used to decorate walls of village houses.

The themes of warli paintings are often human figures created in rhythmic patterns. They are mostly depicted doing their daily chores like showing, harvesting, drawing water from well and also dancing in social functions.

These paintings basically contains simple geometric patterns like circle (representing sun and moon), triangle (representing trees and mountains), squares (representing land). These shapes are joined together to form complete patterns.

The color theme is generally white painted on brick red mud walls. But you can experiment with other colors for background-- like, henna, indigo, ochre, black, earthy mud.

The typical warli paintings are done on mud, charcoal or cow dung treated surfaces. Rice paste is used for the white color. But when doing it at home you can substitute the materials as per convenience and availability.

Materials required for warli painting at home:
1- Handmade paper or cloth
2- White Fabric color for cloth or poster color for paper
3- Tracing paper
4- Carbon sheet

Method of painting:
Step 1- Choose a design from internet or books.
Step 2- Enlarge it into required size.
Step 3- Trace the design unto tracing paper.
Step 4- Transfer the design unto the cloth or paper with the help of carbon sheet.
Step 5- Now paint on it with white color.

If using cloth, paint with fabric color and let it dry for 24 hours. Then iron it from the back side of the cloth. Warli painting can be experimented on many types of surfaces, like bed sheet, sarees, wall hanging, lamp shades, cushion covers, clay pots for decorative purposes.
You can also paint small corner of your house with geru (red mud) mixed with linseed oil for long lasting effect and do warli art on it. Decorate with some clay pots to give it more traditional look.

Kantha Embroidery -- Its History

Today, Kantha embroidery work has become the fashion label in the Indo-Western world. Lets find out the fascinating history of this unique art form that remained in mystery until it was revived.
Indian textiles have the long and vast history. The textiles with their signature embroideries explicit themselves in the modern world of today's fashion. Fashion designers have named this nine yard mystique a 'Renaissance of style'.

Saris were first originated in India. Some of its finest examples can be traced from the sculptures dating back to the 100 BC. Saris are basically unstitched length of cloth measuring 42- 19'' wide and 5.5 to 9 yards which were earlier spun in textile machines that have today become the bequest of our times as hand loom saris.

Kantha is a art form that belongs particularly to West Bengal. Earlier the Kantha saris were usually drape by the women of West Bengal as to protect themselves against the cold.
Kantha work involve complex artistic work done by the weavers with the blend of exquisite embroidery in ornamental running stitch. The traditional work on the Kantha saris in the form of floral motifs, animals and birds figures and geometric shapes looks amazingly fabulous.

Renowned fashion designers in India working on western styles and fashions, still make great use of the ethnic traditions and their designs often depict the rich embroidery work of the earlier craftsmen, celebrating Indian textile tradition.

There are six different types of Kantha. First is the 'Archilata Kantha' that involves the great mirror work with the wide, decorative borders. The second one is the 'Baiton Kantha', that are square wraps used for covering the books and valuables. The most famous is the 'Lep Kantha' which are rectangular wraps, used to cover the quilts. Then there is 'Oaar Kantha', found in the pillow covers in simple designs on which a decorative border is actually sewn afterwards.

Not less competitive is the 'Sujani Kantha', the quilted Kantha used as blankets on the special occasions. Last but not the least is the 'Rumal Kantha' that are used as the rubefacient wipes or plate coverings.

All about Alpona

In many ways, Bengal may be seen as the focal point from which the Indian renaissance actually started spreading its waves. From very early times, Bengal has prospered in a number of art forms and cultural events most of which have been reflected in its traditional rituals and festivities. The art form that is popularly referred to as the 'alpona' ('alpana' alternately), is originally a decorative art found in common households of rural Bengal that has evolved over time.

The 'alpona' is one of Bengal's most cherished imaginative expressions and is a graphic art. It was primarily painted on the borders of doors and windows and around the mud huts by village women to welcome the blessings of the Almighty and ward off evil at the same time. It was also painted as a decoration on earthen pottery, cookware and on other terracotta work. The basic alpona patterns use common motifs in a number of variations. Usually the feet of Goddess Lakshmi, the lotus flower, paddy leafs and other familiar symbols of prosperity are used but the art has been perfected by incorporating a lot of innovative elements in the design.

The authentic alpona is a pattern in white as the main ingredient used to paint is a mixture of powdered rice in water. The consistency has to be such that it is neither too runny nor too stiff. The women do not use a brush and use their fingers expertly to form designs on the chosen surface. In the modern version of the alpona several other ingredients are being used for the sake of convenience. Also, if the patterns are being drawn on cemented or tiled floors, the rice powder mixture does not leave a very prominent mark behind. Therefore, acrylic colours, zinc oxide, paste of chalks, poster and fabric colours are better options in that case. Also the stark white look is modified at times by the use of different colours. The designs too have seen lot of innovations and alterations.

In other parts of India, the related art form is referred to as the 'rangoli', the word being derived from 'rang' which means colour. Unlike the typical alpona, rangoli traditionally is a riot of colours and the authentic designs are mostly floral. Also, it normally uses colours in a powdered form or coloured flower petals as in South India.

The Bengal School of Art

Bengal School - The History
What began as an artistic 'reaction' to the identity crisis, the Indians faced under the British rule, soon became a major movement of national scale, which every Indian could identify with. Abanindranath Tagore, nephew of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore co-founded and aggressively promoted the Bengal School of Art during the early twentieth century.
Along with the British art instructor Ernest Binfield Havel, Tagore advocated the Mughal Painting style as truly 'Indian' that was capable of encapsulating the spiritual prowess of the Indian culture. Tagore honed his artistic abilities under the guidance of Charles Palmer and Olinto Gilhardi, but remained loyal to the Indian sentiments and aesthetics that the British regime curbed and neglected.
The Details
The art style of East-Asian countries like Japan, inspired Abanindranath Tagore and in turn, the Bengal School. Tagore's works were the beautiful blends of the Mughal Paintings, European Naturalism, Ajanta Frescos, Pahari & Rajput Miniature, and the Japanese 'Wash' Technique. Watercolors found great use in the Bengal School and facilitated the characteristic 'Wash' method of painting. Paintings from the Bengal School also carried the elements of Symbolism and the linear designs of Japanese Art.
The Artworks
One of the signature works of this school of art was 'Bharat Mata' by Abanindranath Tagore, dating back to 1905. 'Bharat Mata' was painted predominantly in the varying shades of orange, saffron, and yellow, all being the colors of spirituality, sanctity, and Hindu religion. This work signified a personification of the holy spirit of India, 'Mother India,' whom the Indians revered and worshiped as a Goddess. She is depicted holding a paper roll (referring to knowledge), sheaves of rice (symbolizing sustenance), a mala (portraying sacredness), and a white cloth (denoting purity). 'Bharat Mata' therefore, became the goal and symbol of the freedom movement in India.
The Artists
Sanat Chatterjee, Ganesh Pyne, Devajyoti Ray, Bikash Bhattacharjee, Jahar Dasgupta, Sudip Roy, and Paresh Maiti are among the modern torchbearers of this revolutionary art.
Conclusion
The golden days of the Bengal School of Art lasted until around 1930s, when other styles began taking its place. With the growing impact of the Western Art movements, including Impressionism, Post-impressionism, Cubism, Fauvism, Secularism, and the experimental Neo-Primitivism, it started losing its sheen and mass appeal. It drew dissension from the modern artists, like The Bombay Progressives, who termed it as overly idealistic, regressive, and indistinctive in character. It was regarded as an art that relied heavily on history, events, and written text, rather than on artistic imagination of distinguished kind. Nevertheless, the Bengal School continues, even in the present times.

The Re-Emergence of Bengal Art

The Re-Emergence of Bengal Art


The Tagore family was responsible for bringing about the resurgence in Bengal Art and Literature. The renaissance of Bengali Art took place during the 20th century. Initally, the popular theme of most painters was the Indian Epics, the sculptures at Ajanta and Ellora and Mughal architecture. Slowly the trend changed and the artists concentrated on the culttural heritage of thier respective states.

Some also expressed the tragedies of Indian partition through paintings. This piece of work proved to be a turning point in the Indian art scenario. Painters subsequently evolved their independent style setting aside all prejudices. This also influenced the thriving of innovative ideas which were displayed by the refreshing new art works. This was a predecessor of the times to come.


Every Indian Art Gallery today showcases traditional as well as the contemporary Indian art, some of which are vigorous and audacious sort of painting yet have sophistication and grace. They are a manifestation of the myriad art forms.


The pioneers in the contemporary Indian Art prior Independence was Abanindranath Tagore. He incorporated Japanese and Chinese styles into his paintings which were shortly followed by several other Indian painters, hence developing the contemporary style. Some of the renowned Indian painters prior Indian Independence were Rabindranath Tagore, Jamini Roy, Amrita Shergill, A.K. Haldar, Samarendranath Gupta, Nandlal Bose and Raja Ravi Verma.


The contemporary Indian art has a unique entity which reflects the intuitive and emotions of Indian culture. This has been employed with the soft touch of the Indian elegance.


Some popular contemporary Indian artists are Satish Gujral, Maqbool Fida Hussian, Deepak Shinde, Laxman Shreshtha, Sanjay Bhattacharya, S.H. Raza, N.S. Bendre, Jatin Das, Prabhakar Barwe and Anjolie Ela Menon. The Indian Art gallery showcases the art works of most of these eminent artists and each show is likely to attract innumerable art lovers.


The art at the break of the 21st century is a lot varied and has some never before seen aspect. From adorning the houses of elitist businessmen and royal families, the art has entered the houses of the middle-class buyers and today it is also travelling from the domestic market to offshore fetching exorbitant prices.
As the contemporary artists of India continue drawing inspiration from numerous sources and styles, yet it still retains the distinct "Indianness". With the evolution of newer styles and never seen before styles the
contemporary Indian art is reaching new heights.