Batik Painting -- Demure Damsel

Batik is an ancient art form and refers to dyeing fabrics using a wax-resist dyeing technique. The history of Indian batik can be traced as far back as 2000 years. 

Batik paintings are done in three stages. Artists initially make a rough sketch on cotton or silk fabrics. Next, specific areas of the fabric are covered with a mixture of beeswax and parafin wax. The beeswax holds to the fabric and the paraffin wax allows cracking, which is a characteristic of batik. Next, the cloth is dyed. Wherever the wax has seeped through the fabric, the dye does not penetrate. Then the fabric is dipped in boiling water to dissolve the wax, or ironed between paper towels or newspapers to absorb the wax and reveal the deep rich colors and the fine crinkle lines that give batik its character. Sometimes several colours are used, with a series of dyeing, drying, waxing and dewaxing steps. After the last dyeing, the fabric is hung up to dry. 

Batik paintings involve a wide range of themes and imageries, ranging from religious icons to tribal life and abstract patterns. These paintings look attractive and add to the decor of any room. They can be easily framed.