Batik- . The art of decorating cloth in using wax and dye

Images

Here are some images to help you get started with your design. We'll sketch it on paper first. Then you'll make an exact size template that you can use as a guideline while you're applying the wax.

Batik in Africa

Batik in Indonesia

Batik in China

Batik in Java, Indonesia

Yoruban and Senegali batik

Miao, Gejia and Bouyei batik

How We'll Make It

Batik around the world

Although many many people still use the traditional methods of Batik, other ways of making Batik have been developed over the years that are more effective for a classroom setting (less costly, tools are easier to handle, etc.)

The main process of Batik is always the same (apply resist, dye, remove resist). However, people around the world use different tools during the process. They also create different images based on their cultures and traditions.

Designs

Our designs won't necessarily be based on ancient cultural beliefs or patterns. You can pick any pattern or image that's interesting or meaningful to you.

Africa

Squeeze bottle applicator

Africa: The Yoruba of West Africa used cassava paste as a resist while the people of Senegal use rice paste. The paste is applied in two different ways.

1) By using freehand drawing of traditional designs using a feather, thin stick, piece of fine bone or a metal or wooden comb-like tool. This is done by women.

2) Forced through a thin metal stencil with a flexible metal or wooden tool. This enables accurate repeat patterns to be achieved. This is done by men.

Instead of using a canting, a stencil, or a bamboo tool we'll simply use a plastic squeeze bottle. Although this tool may seem more simple to use, there is still a great deal of control and finesse needed to control it.

China

Rubber Resist

China: The Miao, Gejia and Bouyei people of China are highly skilled at batik. Girls start learning to produce batik from the age of 6 and 7 years. They use circular and spiral designs representing the horns of the water buffalo, symbolizing their ancestor's life and death. With the influence of the Han Chinese more figurative designs like flowers, birds, fish have been introduced over the centuries.

1) Use beeswax as a resist, and mostly use Indigo as a dye

2) The tools they use are made of copper or brass with bamboo handles.

Java, Indonesia

Rather than using beeswax cassava paste, or rice paste as a resist, we'll use a machine made rubber resist.

Indonesia, most particularly the island of Java, is the area where batik has reached the greatest peak of accomplishment. There is nowhere in the world where the art of batik has been developed to the highest standards as in the island of Java in Indonesia. All the raw materials for the process are readily available - cotton and beeswax and many plants from which the dyes are made.

Java, Indonesia- canting- small copper cupped spout which is attached to a bamboo or wooden handle. The women free hand draw while the men use stamps to create patterns.

Batik- The art of decorating cloth in using wax and dye

Evidence of early examples of batik have been found in the Far East, Middle East, Central Asia and India from over 2000 years ago. Batik is an old art form dating back thousands of years.

In Java, Indonesia, batik is part of an ancient tradition, and some of the finest batik cloth in the world is still made there.

The word batik originates from the Javanese word tik and means to dot.

Non-traditional batik

Take some time to research and sketch out a few ideas. Remember, you can also come up with your own design or image. Here are some search terms to get you started:

Batik

Batik designs

Batik Sarongs

Java Batik

Yoruba Batik

Miao Batik

Gejia Batik

Bouyei Batik

Process: How is it made?

Although the process of making Batik today is very different than it was thousands of years ago, the basic steps are the same:

Step 1- Applying the wax

Step 3- Remove the wax

After the final dyeing the wax is removed and the cloth is ready for wearing or showing.

Step 2- Dyeing the cloth

Dye the cloth. The parts covered in wax resist the dye and remain the original color (white). This process of waxing and dyeing can be repeated to create more elaborate and colorful designs.

Selected areas of the cloth are blocked out by brushing or drawing hot wax or applying another resist medium

Resist- to withstand, strive against, or oppose: to resist infection; to resist temptation. A substance that prevents or inhibits some effect from taking place

Batik

Based on Jim Harvey's speech structures