The automatically translated article is temporarily displayed. We are working on the translation to publish the completed English version. 

********** 

The base material for Japanese paintings is called "Eginu,'' which is made from silk cloth.
Silk, which was also used in ancient China before BC, has fascinated people for a long time. In Japan, it spread during the Heian period with the spread of silk cloth, and in addition to its beautiful luster and texture, unique expression techniques that took advantage of the material's characteristics were also developed.
Eginu is woven with delicate silk threads, and the way the color sticks and bleeds can change greatly depending on how you handle it.
Therefore, special preparation and specialized techniques are required to use it as a base material, but by carefully mastering the basics, you can fully enjoy the joy of running a brush on silk.
At PIGMENT TOKYO, we occasionally hold an introductory course called "Introduction to Eginu Silk Canvas'' where you can experience the traditional technique of painting on silk with water-dried paints. Learn about the characteristics of silk and the painting method suitable for it, "Kenpon-saishiki (painting on silk) ", and experience the elegant coloring that complements the paint. Even those who use Eginu for the first time can experience the joy of creation. In addition, students will deepen their understanding of art materials through systematic experiences such as sketching, making paints, coloring, and Backside coloring.

In addition, PIGMENT TOKYO is planning a number of experiential programs that will deepen your understanding of art materials. For example, "Mineral Pigments(Iwa-enogu)'' and "Metal Leaf'' are essential elements of Japanese art, and they are also closely related to silk. However, their uses go beyond that. All of these have the potential to further expand the range of production by combining them with various modern art materials and techniques.
The knowledge gained from each step may lead to new expressions.

Table of contents Workshop Overview   Introduction to Eginu Silk Canvas (Porcelain berry) / 120 min.   Characteristics of picture Silk Canvas Production Details   Draw and copy the diagram below (transcription)   kneading paints   Painting     Surface Painting   Backside Painting (Urazaishiki)      Example of  Backside Coloring (Urazaishiki) ① - Painting with different hues      Example of Backside Coloring (Urazaishiki) technique ②-Applying Gofun paint Completed

Workshop Overview

Introduction to Eginu Silk Canvas (Porcelain Berry) /  120 min.

*Note

This workshop will be conducted exclusively in Japanese, and no English materials will be provided. If you are concerned about understanding the content, we kindly recommend enrolling in one of our workshops where English course materials are available. Thank you for your understanding.

Date:    Event schedule here  You can view it on the page.
Time:   14:00 – 16:00
Venue:  PIGMENT TOKYO
Fee:      ¥9,900 per person (tax included, material cost included)
Recommended Age   Junior high school students and up
  *Due to the detailed work involved, children in the lower grades of elementary school and younger require parental assistance.
  *If accompanied by a guardian, please apply for the option (free of charge) as well.
What to bring:  None
Reservation:  Workshop –Introduction to Eginu Silk Canvas

*In the course, we will use glue, which is an animal-based adhesive. We have gum arabic available as an alternative, so please ask the instructor if you would like to use it.

■ Guardian Option (1 person): Free of charge

*If a parent or a guardian wishes to accompany the participant, please select the free “ticket option" when making your reservation.

*One guardian is allowed per participant.

*Limited seats are available and reservations will close once capacity is reached.

*Materials are not provided for accompanying guardians. (However, assisting your child during the workshop is welcome.) 

Characteristics of Silk Canvas

When painting with silk, the first hurdle that can easily arise is the preparation.
This time's production begins by drawing and copying the diagram below onto the prepared silk.

Here we will briefly introduce how to prepare the Eginu Silk Canvas.
Silk, which has more elasticity than paper, is generally stretched into a wooden frame before use to prevent it from stretching or warping due to moisture.
After that, a "dosa solution" made by diluting glue is applied to the entire screen to even out the texture and surface tension.
After going through this process, you will finally be able to draw a picture.

In addition, this dosa solution also serves to prevent pigments and moisture from penetrating the raw silk fibers, which would otherwise cause the painted areas to bleed.

For this workshop, we use an Pig glue for sizing 20% that can be easily diluted with water for dosa application. 

Click here to learn more about making silk dosas.

Production Details

It is created using a simple wooden embroidery frame (diameter 13cm) with picture silk sandwiched between the inner and outer frames, and you can take the completed work home with you.
In addition, the class will proceed based on the drawings drawn by the instructor, so even those who are not used to drawing can enjoy the time with peace of mind as they come face to face with the texture of the materials and the feel of the drawing.

*During the actual workshop, the order of work may change as the effects of the technique and the drying speed of the paint are taken into account.

Draw and copy the diagram below (transcription)

[Back side] How to trace the diagram below with a pencil

If you place a thin piece of silk on top of the paper shown below (draft), the iconography will be visible through it.
Using the image below with a motif of wild grapes, trace carefully with a pencil from the back side.
The material we use is "Eginu Silk Canvas 2 Chohi Deluxe", which is the thinnest and most transparent of all the products sold at PIGMENT TOKYO, and has been treated to prevent smearing.

kneading paints

Paints are made by mixing pigments and glue.
The pigment used is "Suihi PIgment" and the sizing agent is "glue", which is compatible with picture silk. You will experience the method passed down in Japan of kneading pigment and glue with your fingers.
Creating colors on a plum plate while imagining a colored scene is one of the fun parts of making art.

This article provides an easy-to-understand explanation of basic knowledge about pigments and adhesives. Please use this as a reference material when learning about art supplies.

＜PIGMENT　ARTICLES＞

The ABCs of Art Materials —Pigments—

The ABCs of art Materials —Binders・Animal Glue—

Painting

Coloring is done using paint mixed with glue.
Take advantage of the transparent nature of picture silk and color both the front and back sides of the silk to enjoy the harmonious colors.

Surface Painting

Suihi Pigments, which go well with fine-grained silk, have fine particles and are easy to control color mixing and shading, making them easy to use even for those who are coloring silk for the first time.
The vivid colors and beautiful gradations unique to silk coloring express the changing colors and freshness of wild grapes.
You can also create three-dimensionality and depth by adding highlights with white Gofun paint or adding a bluish gray tone by mixing colors.

[Surface] Coloring

The tools used are a Menso-fude (Detail Round Brushes) brush and a Kumadori-fude brush, which are ideal for drawing delicate details on textured silk, as they contain and absorb paint and moisture easily.
The Menso-fude brush, which has an effective tip, is useful for drawing details such as leaf veins and highlights, as well as coloring leaves and fruits.
On the other hand, Kumadori-fude  brushes, which are characterized by their rounded tips, are specialized for expressing gradations and shading.

Backside Coloring (Urazaishiki)

Back-coloring is a painting technique in which paint is applied to the back of the screen as well. The color layer painted on the back affects the coloring on the front, creating a synergistic effect. With highly transparent silk, you can clearly feel it.
Also, even when painted with the same paint from the front side, the expression will change depending on whether or not the back side is painted and the color tone.
Imagine the final result of your drawing, and adjust where you apply the paint to the back and the shade of color.
Here we will introduce some methods and their effects.

◾️Example of Backside Coloring (Urazaishiki) technique ①- Applying different hues of paint

[Backside] Backside colored

The image above shows the state when the front side is colored with Hiwairo and Rokusho, and the back side is colored with Botan.
When you look at the piece from the back, the bright Botan color stands out.

[Surface] Comparison of effects of back coloring
Left: Only the front side has been colored / Right: The back side has been colored

[Suishi Pigments used]
Surface: Suihi Hiwairo, Suihi Rokusho
Back side: Suihi Botan

This is an image comparing the effects on the front surface with and without back coloring.
In the unpainted image on the left, the leaves are colored with vibrant gray and patina.
On the other hand, in the back-colored image on the right, by adding peony color to the back, the bright green on the front becomes more bitter, changing to a soft color tone that gives you a hint of autumn.
The paint penetrates into the weave, allowing the colors on the front and back to resonate, and the veins of the leaves, reminiscent of ripening grapes, add depth to the work's expression.

◾️Example of Backside Coloring (Urazaishiki) technique ②-Applying Gofun paint

When you use chalk to color the back, the color of the paint will be more vivid when viewed from the front compared to the parts that are not colored from the back.
Gofun is a pigment made from natural seashells and is characterized by its opaque white color.

[Backside] How the back side is colored

[Back side] Wild grapes painted on the back with chalk

[Surface] Wild grapes painted on the back with chalk

The contrast between the transparent texture of the front coloring and the colors that emerge from the back coloring creates rhythm and space on the screen. Please try to use it effectively.

Completed

This is a completed work on silk that shows off the colorful Porcelain Berry.

PIGMENT TOKYO also holds special projects and workshops throughout the year.
Please see the link below for details.

Workshop - PIGMENT TOKYO

Basic information for private workshops (individuals, corporations, organizations)

Private Workshop Information for Corporate and Organizational Clients
PRIVATE WORKSHOP
 
PIGMENT TOKYO
Contact –PIGMENT TOKYO