I have left this feedback page as it was the first workshop that I offered in Bath in 2013.
It is there to remind me how far I have come in the last 5 years, offering numerous workshop in and around Bath and now across the Somer Valley south of Bath.
Feedback from the Batik Explorations Workshop 19th January at The new Oriel Hall Larkhall, Bath:
(also see gallery photos below)
“I learned to be confident that my design would work and to be patient when using the wax. Thanks, felt that I learned a lot.”
“Learning to use Procion dyes has really encouraged me to use colour more in the future. Huge thanks. Fab day”
“ Learned about possibilities of dyes and the use of blending colour. A huge thank you”
“Go with the flow... enjoyed it all and feel that I could expand using Batik. Thanks”
Colour blending, preparation, use of tools- need to do more creative stuff! Thanks, was a great day!”
“ I really enjoyed the freeflowness of being creative with Batik and seeing what came out. Your supportive encouragement was very enabling and helped me to be less self conscious about just having a go”.
Despite the snow which last weekend rendered Bath to a rather belated Christmas card postcard scene, all the participants of the Batik Explorations course at the delightful New Oriel Hall in Larkhall Bath decided to brave the weather and walk or taxi.
We had a mixture of those who had tried Batik in the past and also those for whom it was their first time, wanting a stress free and therapeutic day where they could try something new in a nurturing and comfortable space. We also had an embroiderer who wanted to learn how to decorate fabric to embellish her needlework.
We began by closely observing the traditional Batik craft from a wide range of displayed Indonesian fabric and also some contemporary fine art pieces, which take the drawing with wax to new heights, using fine lines to draw detailed images (see gallery on home page).
There was inspiration from these pieces as participants decided that they wanted to use fine lines and small scale pattern for their pieces.
Each person quickly found their own way with the tjantings (wax drawing tools) and rehearse the marks that they wanted to make on small sample pieces. The designs were transferred to large cotton pieces and the wax drawings soon emerged.
Each participant became lost in the absorbing therapeutic process of ‘going with the flow’. Each was reluctant to stop for our shared Ploughmans lunch. It happens on every course- the midway time is engrossing and the magic of Batik takes over.
The next stage, painting and dying the cloth is always a time of excitement and revelation. This workshop was no exception as having been introduced to the range of possibilities of using Procion dyes, the designs took shape, patterns and images became vivid and vibrant pieces began to emerge.
There is nothing quite like seeing the barrier that the walls of wax lines, both broad and fine creates, as the dye flows into the cloth but stops abruptly at that wall and the drawing in wax becomes defined by the lines which suddenly gain significance.
This process allows colours to bleed into each other, seeing chrome yellow tinged with bright green, turning to dark green and edged with blue or crimson tinged with purple where blue has seeped. This is where the unpredictability of creating Batik provides delight and wonder that something that has been our own construction, seems to have a mind of it’s own and develops in front of our eyes as a unique creation.
The final stage is to remove the wax and it is at this point, as the day is drawing to a close that each person sees th fruits of their labour.
I thoroughly enjoyed every moment, I love the process and judging by requests for more courses, others had a great time too.
See dates of further courses if you are interested in coming along.
Shelagh Hetreed 23rd January 2013
 The first stage, drawing on the wax Once participants learned what the tjanting can do, they each applied their design drawn in wax |
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 The first application of colour, the beginning of a vibrant transformation This was the first stage of applying the dye, showing clearly the barrier of wax lines that 'resist' the dye so effectively |
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 adding more colour The design blossoms with the application of each colour |
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 Finding ones way with colour decisions The transformation continues as colours are added and blended. Colour lends design and form to the piece. We thought that there was an innate Aztec influence to the colour, pattern and design in this piece |
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 The piece nears completion This piece is a triumph of pattern, design and colour. Here it is with a delicate night sky effect emerging from the use of indigo as a background space, leaving behind delicate star like shapes resisted by being made with the wax
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 The completed piece Here we see the finished cloth after the wax has been removed. |
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 The first stage of adding colour to the design |
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 Next stage of adding colour |
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 Completed 'fan' design The background colour and a further addition of a free painted wave completes the piece |
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 Memories of a Bali landscape This piece was inspired by the trees and landscapes of Bali and was created from the imagination. The dyes and wax lines lend themselves well to the palm branches and distant hills |
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 The completed scene The overlaying of dark tones provides depth to the subtle greens in the Bali inspired piece |
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 A study in fine wax lines and experimenting with colour This piece uses a variety of very fine dots, lines and waves, intricately created using the finest of tjantings to just enjoy the process and see where it takes you. Even the application of colour has a real 'go with the flow' feel to it, exploring the colour circle, blending and bleeding. |
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 A small flower study in the early stages Batik lends itself to small or large pieces. Here there were 4 small studies designed which were inspired by different family members, to be given as gifts |
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 The flower complete The smaller study completed. |
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 A set of 4 individualised designs These small pieces demonstrate that even working on a small scale, Batik offers a media for detailed design |
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 A sunflower Another in the set of small studies of nature |
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 A lily A further flower study showing delicacy and transparency |
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 A further piece- fish study This fish was undertaken near the end of the day. I think it demonstrates the speed with which the participants gained skills and confidence to the point that they were able to create a further design which uses all the advantages of drawing and painting with Batik |
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 A selection of images from which inspiration can come Shelagh brings along a folder with dozens of photos and photocopies of organic images that lend themselves to batik design.
Others come with an idea which they want to translate. The choice is always yours. |
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 The designing begins After time spent seeing the traditional and contemporary batik cloths up close, individual design ideas are tried out |
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 A first try with using the hot wax and tjanting It does not take long to learn how to control the wax line, find your most suitable resting position and 'embrace the blobs' as one participant put it. The 'blobs' for part of the design and although unwelcome in the early stages, are usually happily incorporated into the design. We all 'embrace the blobs!' |
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 Translating your design on paper into batik Once the design has been drafted on paper and confidence has been gained in using the tjanting and wax, the time has come for the drawing of wax on cotton for your own design. A momentous moment! |
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 A hush falls as the magic of drawing with wax begins On every course, a hush descends as the process of drawing with wax becomes absorbing. Often, coffee breaks are abandoned and participants just want to carry on |
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 Applying the dye for the first time Everyone delights in the way that the cloth takes the dyes. It is so different from working with paint on paper. Participants sometimes exclaimed how delighted they were with the colour being applied |
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