E-ginu is a type of silk fabric used as a canvas in Japanese painting. Silk has captivated people for centuries and was already in use in ancient China long before the Common Era. In Japan, silk became more widespread during the Heian period (794–1185), artists and artisans uniquely developed the techniques that utilize its lustrous surface, delicate texture and translucency.

Silk canvas woven from fine threads is extremely delicate, so the way it is handled affects how colors adhere and bleed. Although painting on silk requires special preparation and skills, once you learn the basics, you will get to appreciate how the brush moves across the smooth surface and experience the unique texture of silk.

At PIGMENT TOKYO, we occasionally offer a workshop titled "Introduction to Eginu Silk Canvas," where participants can experience traditional silk painting techniques using suihi pigments.

In this workshop, you can learn about the characteristics of silk and the unique painting techniques suited to the material, known as Kenpon Saishiki (silk painting). Even those trying silk painting for the first time can enjoy creating artwork and experience the joy of expressing their creativity through the elegant colors on silk.

Moreover, PIGMENT TOKYO delivers a variety of hands-on workshops designed to deepen understanding of art materials including iwa-enogu (mineral pigments) and haku (metal leaf), both essential materials in Japanese art and commonly used in silk painting. 

Today, however, the uses of these materials go far beyond traditional applications. When combined with contemporary materials and techniques, they offer expanded possibilities for creative expression. The knowledge and techniques gained from working with each material can inspire new artistic creations.

Contents Workshop Overview    Introduction to Eginu Silk Canvas (Porcelain berry)    Characteristics of Silk Canvas Processes in the Workshop    Tracing the Image    Preparing Paint    Coloring      Painting the Front Surface      Urazaishiki (Coloring on the Backside)        Urazaishiki Technique ① - Applying Different Colors        Urazaishiki Technique ②-Applying Gofun Pigment   Completed

Workshop Overview

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

Note:
Although this workshop will be delivered in Japanese, English course materials are available.
If this sounds like working for you, you are welcome to join our workshops.

Schedule: Please refer to our website for upcoming dates.
Time: 14:00 – 16:00
Venue: PIGMENT TOKYO
Fee: JPY 9,900 per participant (tax and materials included)
Recommended Age: 4th grade (9 years old) and above

*Younger children may require assistance from an adult due to the fine detail work.
*If attending with a parent or a guardian, please select the optional free ticket.

Things to Bring: None required
Reservation: Workshop “Introduction to Eginu Silk Canvas”

Notes:

・The motif used in the workshop will follow the design introduced in the workshop process.

・Animal-based glue (nikawa) will be used during the workshop. A plant-based alternative, gum arabic, is available upon request. Please let the instructor know if you prefer to change the glue.

<Optional Ticket (for parents/guardians who wish to accompany a child)>

■ Seat for a parent/guardian (1 seat): Free

One additional chair will be prepared for you.

*  Ticket availability is limited.

* Only one parent/guardian is allowed to stay per participant.

* You are unable to select more than two guests per reservation.

* Materials are not included with this ticket, however, you are welcome to assist your children during the workshop.

Characteristics of Silk Canvas

One of the first challenges when painting on silk canvas is the preparation process. 

In this workshop, participants will start with silk that has already been prepared on a frame and will begin by tracing the provided image onto it.

Here is a brief overview of how silk is prepared.

Since silk stretches more easily than paper, it is usually mounted onto a wooden frame to prevent distortion from moisture.

Also, a thin layer of diluted animal glue called a dosa solution is applied over the surface of the stretched silk to even out the weave and tension.

After these processes, the silk is ready for painting.

Moreover, the dosa solution also helps prevent pigments and water from soaking into the fibers, which could cause the paint to bleed. For this workshop, we use our original pig glue 20% solution that can be applied simply by diluting it with water.

For more details on the dosa application on silk canvas, please check the following article.

Processes in the Workshop

Participants will work with a silk canvas stretched on a wooden embroidery hoop (13 cm in diameter). 

The participants may take the artwork home after the workshop.

In this workshop, everyone will be working with an image prepared by our instructor, so even those who are not used to making artwork can enjoy coloring and experience silk painting.

Note: 

During the workshop, the order of steps might be a little different from what’s introduced here, depending on how the techniques work and how quickly the paints dry.

Tracing the Image

[Back side] Tracing the design with a pencil

The motif painted in this workshop is porcelain berries.

When a thin piece of silk is placed over the image, the porcelain berry design shows through it. Therefore, participants can trace the image from the back of the silk canvas using a pencil.

Among the several types of silk canvas, the thinnest and most translucent silk available here is used for this workshop. 

It is “Eginu Silk Canvas 2 Chohi Deluxe,” and is pre-treated with dosa solution to prevent paint from bleeding.

Preparing Paint

The paint is made by kneading pigments and a binder together. In this workshop, suihi pigments and nikawa (animal glue) are used as they are the ideal mediums for silk canvas.

In this step, participants will experience the traditional Japanese method of mixing pigment and animal glue with their fingers. Creating colors on a flower-shaped palette while imagining what colors are going to be painted is one of the most enjoyable and creative parts of the painting process.

In the following articles, you can learn the basics of using pigments and binders through simple explanations. We hope these will be helpful for those who want to know more about art materials.

＜PIGMENT　ARTICLES＞

The ABCs of Art Materials —Pigments—

The ABCs of art Materials —Binders・Animal Glue—

Coloring

The paints prepared in the previous step by kneading pigment and animal glue are used for coloring. Because the silk canvas is translucent, colors can be applied from both the front and back to create harmonious layers.

Painting on the Front Surface

Suihi pigment has fine particles which make them suitable for applying on a delicate silk surface, controlling color mixing and creating gradation. Therefore, it is also the ideal pigment for the first silk painting experience.

Through the high color saturation and soft gradation, participants can easily express the freshness of the porcelain berries.

Moreover, highlighting with gofun (shell pigment) and shading with bluish gray colors will create depth and give the image a more three-dimensional result.

[Front Side] Coloring the porcelain berries

The brushes used here are a menso brush and a kumadori brush, both of which are suitable for applying paint to the delicate woven silk surface.

While the menso brush, with its fine and sharp tip, is ideal for drawing intricate details such as leaf veins and highlights, as well as for coloring leaves and berries; the round kumadori brush is perfect for blending and creating smooth gradations.

Urazaishiki（Coloring from the Backside）

Urazaishiki is a painting technique in which colors are applied from the reverse side of translucent substrates. The colors applied on the front and back interact with each other to create a beautiful effect, especially on highly translucent silk canvas.

When applying colors on the front side, the final result can vary significantly depending on whether urazaishiki has been applied and the hues used on the reverse side.

By imagining the final look of the painting, participants can adjust where to apply paint on the back and the intensity of each color.

Here, we introduce several techniques and their effects.

◾️Urazaishiki Technique ①－Applying Different Colors

[Back Side] After applying colors from the reverse side

The image above is colored with Hiwa (yellow-green) and Rokusho (green) on the front side, while Botan (pink-red) on the back side. The Botan (pink-red) appears more vibrant when viewed from the back.

[Front Side] Comparison with and without urazaishiki

Left: Colored on the front side only
Right: Colored on the both front and back sides

【Pigments Used】

Front: Suihi Hiwa (yellow-green), Suihi Rokusho (green)

Back: Suihi Botan (pink-red)

These images show the effect of urazaishiki on the front-side colors.

In the left image, where no urazaishiki was applied, the vibrant Hiwa (yellow-green) and Rokusho (green) bring the leaves to life.
On the other hand, in the right image, applying Botan (pink-red) on the back side blends into the front colors, giving the green a more muted, autumnal tone.

As the silk weave absorbs paint, the colors on the front and back interact, allowing the leaf veins to appear like ripening grapes. This coloring method allows the painter to add depth to the artwork.

◾️Urazaishiki Technique ②－Applying Gofun Pigment

When gofun, a white shell pigment, is applied to the back side of the silk, it allows the colors from the front to pop more. Gofun is a pigment derived from natural shells and produces a semi-opaque white color.

[Back Side] Applying color from the back

[Back Side] Gofun pigment is applied to the porcelain berries from the back

[Front Side] Porcelain berries with gofun painted on the back side

The contrast between the translucent effect of colors applied on the front side and the vibrancy produced by urazaishiki creates rhythm and a sense of space in the artwork. 

We hope you will also experiment with these techniques to make the most of these materials.

Completed

This is a completed art work of fresh porcelain berries on a silk canvas.

At PIGMENT TOKYO, we offer a wide variety of workshops, including special events and regular courses.

Please check the following links for more information.

Workshop - PIGMENT TOKYO

Information for Private Workshops (Individuals, Companies and Groups)

Private Workshop Information for Companies and Organizations
PRIVATE WORKSHOP
 
PIGMENT TOKYO
Contact –PIGMENT TOKYO