FABRIC PAINTING

Fabric painting is a technique of applying a pattern by hand with special paints directly onto the cloth, as onto an artist's canvas. Unlike printing, which reproduces an identical design, painting is always unique and carries the artist's hand: free brushstrokes, colour transitions, an author's subject. There are various techniques — free painting, resist (outline) painting, cold and hot batik. In Ukrainian folk art a kindred tradition is painted decoration (recall Petrykivka painting carried over onto textiles). Painting turns a garment or scarf into a wearable work of art. This technique is slow and personal, so every painted piece is a kind of picture you can wear.