Paintstiks and Technique Instructions

Techniques

Remember using paper and crayons to do rubbings? The same technique quickly produces wonderful effects on fabrics, except that we use fabric instead of paper, and iridescent Shiva Oil Paintstiks® instead of crayons.

To see a video demonstrating the rubbing technique, check out Threads magazine website. (Video requires either Quicktime or Real Player; either can be downloaded at the link.)

Cape pattern by Lois Erickson
"In the Studio Four"

The fabric for this stunning cape started out as a solid color charcoal silk. Color and designs were applied by placing the fabric over a textured rubbing plate, and gently rubbing with a Paintstik until the design appeared. It's great fun, and a very fast way to transform plain fabric into something unique and wonderful.

The fabric can be washed after heat-setting, and the Paintstiks do not change the hand. The rubbing technique can be used over objects such as rubber mats, corrugated cardboard, stamps, etc. My favorite tools are rubbing plates, which provide a wide variety of inexpensive, textured surfaces. Paintstiks are also great for stenciling, producing a lovely, airbrushed effect.

Recommended fabrics include cottons, silk, ultra suede, synthetics, and sheers – virtually any fabric with a smooth surface.

Easy to Learn...
just click for free printable instructions.

Paintstiks do not change the hand of fabric
Handy stick form – each is 4½" by 5/8"
Highly refined pigments and linseed oil in a pure wax medium
Permanent after heat setting
Safe – Non-toxic and hypo-allergenic
Mixes and blends nicely

For more details on the chemistry of paintstiks, click here.

Shelly Stokes, author of "Paintstiks on Fabric," offers additional paintstik tips and techniques on www.cedarcanyontextiles.com/blog.

Paintstiks and Supplies

Shiva Artist's Paintstiks are offered in two types: Iridescents, which produce a lovely light metallic effect on dark fabrics, and Professionals, which have a matte type finish and work well on on light to medium value backgrounds.

Basic Paintstik Starter Set

Includes:

Paintstik Inspirations DVD (1 hr 13 min running time) Value $29.95
Set of 6 Iridescent Fashion Paintstiks (you may exchange this for the Iridescent Primary set by indicating your choice in the "comments" section when ordering). Value $38.95
Set of Optical Illustion rubbing plates (you may exchange for any set of rubbing plates by indicating your choice in the comments section). Value $9.95
One 1/2" stencil brush Value $4.50

If purchased separately, the value of the items in the starter set is $83.45. You pay $67.95 -- a savings of $15.50!

Order # PS22
Price: $67.95

Deluxe Paintstik Starter Set

Includes:

Paintstik Inspirations DVD (1 hr 13 min running time) Value $29.95
Set of 12 Iridescent Fashion Paintstiks Value $67.95
Set of Optical Illustion rubbing plates (you may exchange for any set of rubbing plates by indicating your choice in the comments section). Value $9.95
One 1/2" stencil brush Value $4.50

If purchased separately, the value totals $117.35. You pay $95.95 -- a savings of $21.40!

Order # PS23
Price: $95.95

Mini Sets of 3 PaintStiks

Mini Sets contain three small paintstiks in one package. Each mini-stick is 1/3 the size of a regular paintstik.

Professional Primary
Mini Set:

Napthol Red, Ultramarine Blue and Azo Yellow.

PM 01

Price: $11.50

Professional French Country
Mini Set:

Mauve, Celadon Green and Wedgwood Blue.

PM 02

Price: $11.50

Professional Classic Colors
Mini Set:

Sap Green, Alizarin Crimson and Prussian Blue.

PM 03

Price: $11.50

Professional Toning Colors
Mini Set:

Titanium White, Ivory Black and Burnt Umber.

PM 04

Price: $11.50

Professional Popular Colors
Mini Set:

Medium Pink, Dioxazine Purple and Teal Blue.

PM 05

Price: $11.50

Professional Earthtone Colors
Mini Set:

Sap Green, Alizarin Crimson and Prussian Blue.

PM 06

Price: $11.50

Professional Romance Colors
Mini Set:

Slate Blue, Mauve and Celadon Green.

PM 07

Price: $11.50

Professional Formal Colors
Mini Set:

Titanium White, Ivory Black and Iridescent Gold.

PM 08

Price: $11.50

Metallic
Mini Set:

Iridescent Gold, Silver, Copper.

PM 09

Price: $14.95

Sets of 6 and 12

Iridescent Primary
Set of 6:

Light gold, red, dark blue, orange, green, brown.

PS 14

Price: $35.95

Iridescent Fashion
Set of 6:

White, pink, turquoise, purple, leaf green, and charcoal.

PS 15

Price: $35.95

Iridescent Primary
Set of 12:

White, charcoal, silver, red, pink, gold, orange, blue, turquoise, copper, purple, and green

PS 16

Price: $67.95

Professional
Basic
Set of 6:

Titanium White, Azo Yellow, Napthol Red, Sap Green, Ultramarine.

PP 01

Price: $27.95

Professional
Colonial
Set of 6:

Navy Blue, Chocolate, Mauve, Meadow Green, Slate Blue, Beige.

PP 01

Price: $27.95

Professional
Traditional
Set of 6:

Dusty Rose, Wedgewood Blue, Pewter Gray, Yellow Ochre, Celadon Green, and Barn Red.

PP 03

Price: $27.95

Professional Set of 12:

Titanium White, Ivory Black, Alizarin Crimson, Azo Orange, Napthol Red, Azo Yellow, Phthalo Blue, Phthalo Green, Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Sienna, Raw Umber and Yellow Ochre.

PP 04

Price: $52.95