Book Reviews






Peinture de Soie Magazine -

Editions Saxe

I have a book that will appeal to silk painters who love colours; I have discovered a magazine for internet surfers of the same quality as a good book; and also found a recent visit to France useful for Guild members.

You will enjoy this magazine, if you have a grasp of basic French, as it is full of patterns and photographs pleasing to painters who enjoy silk painting in its purest form i.e. designs drawn and painted onto silk. Patterns can be enlarged using the squared grid or a photocopier. The light blue grid copies faintly leaving a clear pattern outline. There are very good colour photographs. Contact the Web site:- www.edisaxe.com to view and order on-line. An English translation to the web site is available - click on the Union Jack.

Creating with Paint -
Sherrill Kahn
Martingale & Company
(£18.99 Sterling)
IBSN
1-564477-320-5

Sherrill Kahn brings inspiration to painters, encouraging experiment with the simple phrase "What if". The book is packed with vivid, colourful images and ideas the silk painter will seize upon. A preliminary review of equipment is followed by clear, detailed instructions for painting, printing and layering with a variety of resists; sponging using washes, mesh, salt, plastic wrap (clingfilm), then a chapter called "Alternative Tools" covers techniques such as marker pens, toothbrushes, and how to paint with a credit card (just make sure it's an old one!). Stamping adds a further dimension to painted fabric and topics include more paint & gutta applications, and the merits of paint vs. ink pads for stamping. All these techniques can enhance your decorative skills. There are even a few projects to start you off. A visual treat of a book, packed full of information.
www.workshopontheweb.com is, I believe, a first from the U.K. and already has a worldwide readership. A quality "on-line" magazine, with excellent photographs, workshops, interviews, discussions and product/book reviews. There is a free taster issue on line. Annual subscription is a modest £12.50 (£Sterling) with credit card payments for overseas readers The magazine, from renowned textile artist Maggie Grey, is quarterly and the inaugural issue went live in September. High quality, excellent value and very highly recommended.
Notice As mentioned before, Search Press have a series of books of copyright free images coming out about now. I have not had a copy for review but the "Flowers" volume accompanies Mandy Southan's much admired "Painting with Flowers" (also Search Press). Several popular themes are covered including Art Deco. All will be ideal for those who lack confidence in drawing complex images, or want to incorporate the images into larger pieces of work. Search Press books are always good value and well worth a look.

Flower Designs Flower Designs - Search Press
ISBN 0-85532-971-8
Price UK £4.95
USA $9.95









Finally, several people have been in touch about where to get Helen Deighan's "Dyeing in Plastic Bags".
I have found two suppliers Rainbow Silks email: caroline@rainbowsilks.co.uk (Tel: 01494 862111 ); and Myfanwy Hart at Winifred Cottage email: winifcott@aol.com (Tel: 01252 617 667).
All I want for Christmas As a silk painter you paint gifts for friends and family, pictures to sell, garments to wear. But what treats would you like to find in your Christmas stocking this year?

Try a change of paint. Stewart Gill's Pearlise, Galactica and Metallica add sparkle to scarves, garments and pictures. Dupont Alter Ego dyes for silk/viscose mix velvet scarves allow dyeing in one pan with two colours at once!
Fun for a beginner, and then you can use Fiber-Etch to design your own patterns with stamps or freehand drawing. For the environmentally conscious Living Colour is a range of natural dyes from Germany - with subtle colours and, if you like the results, go further with Wild Colour by Jenny Dean; the best colours from 60 plants. Fascinating. If you use iron fix paints ask for a sample set of steam fix paints to play with. Dupont's do a good starter set. Used to steam fix? Try acid dye paints; the acid is only vinegar, or venture into Procion dyes, or illuminants.

More ideas? Add Suze Weinberg Beadazzles - a selection of tiny sequins and beads to stick on with fabric glue - lovely. Jones Tones foil lets you highlight sections of a painted surface in a very controlled way - brush, stamp or paint with Plexiglue, press on foil! Surface embellishment can be very subtle and graceful or dazzling, your supplier with have a host of surface embellishments to enhance your designs, just ask for a catalogue.

Finally. Christmas is the one time you can get away with asking for the Special Book that usually elicits the cry "How Much!" Susan Moyer's Silk Painting, The Artist's Guide to Gutta and Wax Techniques (£18.95 Sterling) is beautiful and covers silk painting in great depth. Complex Cloth (£19.99) Jane Dunnewold's book encourages surface decoration in all its forms. A must have for those who can't leave their silk alone! For the serious silk painter Kate Wells "Fabric Dyeing and Printing" (£18.99) offers a comprehensive range of techniques with clear photographs. To round things off, some favourites from Search Press. For the beginner Mandy Southan's Beginner's Guide to Silk Painting (£8.95) has received great praise and, and Painting Flowers on Silk 'inspires confidence and puts skills within my reach' according to a City & Guilds student friend. Again your specialist supplier who will have a list of books relevant to silk painting, ask for their recommendations, and read back review of the Guild's newsletter.

So, go for it! Make a list of "hints" and post it on the fridge, in the family's email, anywhere it will get noticed. If all else fails, ask for a voucher from your favourite supplier and spend an hour or two on Christmas Day deciding how you will spend it!

MARJORIE DAWSON - London E17