Artist Sheila Rauen uses silk paint to create a unique, textured lampshade on rice paper.
Materials
Deka Silk Paints in desired colors
Deka Silk Paint Resist (clear works best) and metal applicator tip for use on bottle
frame (picture frame or stretcher strips such as those used to stretch canvas)
masking tape - to tape paper to frame
paper and pencil for pattern
lampshade - used or new
rice paper - medium weight
paint brushes
Steps: - Make a pattern for the paper to fit the lampshade by rolling the shade on a piece of paper while tracing the shape of the shade. Allow a 1/2- to 3/4-inch border around all sides for folding and gluing into place.
- Plan and draw desired design to fit the shade. Trace the design lightly onto paper with a soft lead pencil.
- Tape uncut rice paper onto frame with masking tape. The shape of the shade will be cut out later on in the process.
- Apply resist to the rice paper using the squeeze bottle and metal applicator tip. Allow resist to dry thoroughly. Resist will remain on the surface of the paper at first before soaking through to the other side.
- Using the watercolor brushes with the silk paint, fill in all colored areas. Foam brushes may be used if filling in large areas of color. Don't overload brushes. Allow paint to dry.
- Remove paper from frame. Iron on wrong side of painting using the silk setting.
- Cut another plain piece of the rice paper to the same size as the painted one to use as a support in the next step.
- Place the painted rice paper on top of the plain piece and put both into a tub of shallow water so that it lies flat without crumples or folds. Once the clear resist has dissolved in the water, remove the resist by GENTLY rubbing the paper with your fingertips. DO NOT leave the paper in the water for more than a few minutes since soaking it for too long will weaken the paper.
- Carefully remove the paper from the tub and place onto a bath towel. Cover with another towel and remove excess water. Put paper aside to dry. After drying, paper may be ironed again to smooth it out if necessary.
- Cut rice paper to fit lampshade.
- Apply to shade using a thin line of glue on the overlap at the top and bottom of the shade, beginning at the seam line. To keep the paper smooth, it may be necessary to cut a few small slits at the top or bottom of the paper when overlapping and gluing. The shade is now ready for use.
Tips for Creating Unique Lamps - Buy a plain glass or ceramic lamp, and paint it to coordinate with the shade using glass paints such as Deka Translucent or water-based enamel paint such as Deka Gloss.
- Decorate the rice paper with Deka Permanent Fabric Paint and rubber or foam stamps or stencils. This also works well since the paint is semi-transparent.
RESOURCES :
Paintbrushes (Loew-Cornell)
Available at local craft and hobby stores nationwide.
Loew-Cornell Inc.
Website: www.loew-cornell.com
Translucent Paint, Gloss Water-based Enamel Paint, Silk Paint, Silk Resist, Fabric Paint - Deka
Discontinued
GUESTS :
Sheila Haynes Rauen
Multi-Media Artist
2037 Rivergate Dr.
Knoxville, TN 37920
E-mail: SHRAUEN@aol.com
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