Using Inktense on Fabric
Over the past few years, tens of thousands of people have enjoyed my video tutorials on using Inktense pencils and blocks on fabric.
Although these videos were made during my ‘early days’ of film-making, they still hold useful and valuable content so, rather than consign them to the ‘Archives’, I’ve decided to add them to the Tutorials — Getting Started collection.
So here is an updated and edited version of the articles and videos first published way back in 2014. [Scheduled for a further update in 2020]
[Note: www.deborahwirsu.com is now found here at www.threadsketchinginaction.com]
Part One – Using Inktense on Fabric: An introductory video tutorial
(N.B. This video may not be viewable in some regions)
Inktense was not originally developed for use on fabric — it’s intended function was (and still is) as a water-based ink for use on paper. Nevertheless, the discovery that, by mixing water with a little fabric fixative, this wonderful ink could also be used to colour and paint fabric.
Although people sometimes encounter problems with ‘bleeding’ into surrounding fabric, there are ways to overcome this as well as explore the other possibilities it offers.
Also, keep in mind that Inktense on fabric is not very amenable to being washed or laundered. Even with fabric fixative applied, the colour tends to fade with washing, so its use is perhaps best kept for using on artworks and other pieces that do not require cleaning with water.
The method I show here is so simple, and you don’t even need to be able to draw!
Free-form pictures of flowers or other objects, abstract designs — any simple shapes are super-easy to paint with this ink.
As long as you can use a pencil, you can do this!
How many Inktense pencils and blocks do I need to get started?
Inktense pencils and blocks are wonderfully versatile and quite economical to use. A simple set of 12 pencils and 12 blocks is enough to get you started and will go a long way in your projects. They are also available individually, in a vast range of colours.
With a basic set of 12 pencils and 12 blocks, and a fundamental understanding of mixing colours, almost any colour can be created with this basic supply. Any ‘special’ colours you desire can be added as individual pencils or blocks at a later date.
Requirements for this project:
- White or pale pastel cotton fabric
- Derwent Inktense pencils and blocks
- Textile Medium or Fabric Fixative – choose a brand that you have locally available, and adjust the balance of water and textile medium to suit. Some suggested brands are: Golden (available in the USA); Matisse and Jo Sonya (both available in Australia); Liquitex and Baker Ross (UK) *** Note: I have not used Liquitex or Baker Ross brands myself. A further, popular alternative as a fabric fixative is Aloe Vera Gel.
- A pencil
- Paintbrushes
- Water and a rag cloth or paper towel
Although I’ve painted a simple flower in the video, any image or picture can be created.
This is a small quilt made from two painted flower panels – just like the ones in the video. The flowers were fussy-cut and fused to a piece of hand-dyed background fabric, using raw-edge appliqué. The mosaic background is made up of small pieces from the painted surrounds of the flowers.
Part Two – Inktense for Quilters: Quilt then paint
In this video, we explore how to quilt first and paint later!
This is a great method if you like to ‘quilt as you go’ or simply want to add detail to a larger quilt.
There is so much you can do with Inktense, whether it be colouring small sections or entire quilts. It’s especially good for art quilters and for adding interest when creating your own unique surface design on fabric.
The technique shown here can be applied to modern, abstract or traditional designs – the possibilities are only limited by your imagination!
This abstract fish is a work in progress, using the ‘quilt first, paint later’technique.
Part Three: Make an Inktense Apron
Handcrafting your own apron is super easy using Inktense pencils and blocks and you will look truly unique wearing your own art.
I’d like you to meet Rodney …
In this video, I demonstrate how I created Rodney using cotton fabric and Inktense pencils and blocks.
Inktense + Water + Fabric Fixative = Fun!
Inktense pencils and blocks provide a really versatile ink format for painting on fabric – simply add water and fabric fixative. The fabric fixative (textile medium) makes the colours ‘pop’ and provides a good degree of colour-fastness to the image.
When I’d finished painting, I bound the apron with bias tape binding, added tie tapes and halter and voila! – Rodney now has a place in my workshop!
Things you’ll need to create your own painted apron:
- Cotton fabric, bias tape, woven tape for ties – or a ready-made, white cotton apron
- Inktense pencils and blocks
- Fabric fixative
- Water
- Paintbrushes
- Cups, rags and paper towel
- Plastic sheeting to cover your work surface
These aprons are so much fun to make!