Publications

Published to accompany the Batik Transitions exhibition in 2006, the Guild's 64-page book is still available. It is beautifully designed and produced with over 200 full colour photographs. The first part looks at world batik with sections on Indonesia, China, and Africa. There is also detail on many of the other places where batik is made such as Australia, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

The second part highlights various batik and wax techniques and is the result of contributions from several Guild members. The final part is a gallery of contemporary work which has been chosen for its variety in media, techniques and expression. There is also information on books, websites, contacts and places to see batik in the UK.

Useable and Wearable Batiks
Lee Creswell and Anne Dye
2006, Produced & Directed by Creative Digital Video Solutions
£19.50 GBP (Batik Guild members £17.50)

This DVD shows eight exciting projects; four on cotton and four on silk. It is suitable for beginners as well as those with some experience and incorporates several interesting techniques which can be used in a variety of ways.

• Silk Necklace (Lee Creswell)
• Iris table lampshade (Anne Dye)
• Ro-shibori shawl (Lee Creswell)
• Tea cosy (Anne Dye)
• Japanese doorway curtain (Noren) (Lee Creswell)
• 3-D Mushroom (Anne Dye)
• Silk Purse (Lee Creswell)
• Tissue paper picture, discharged (Anne Dye)
• Recipes
• Gallery (works of both artists)

Batik: New Techniques and New Materials
Noel Dyrenforth
2003, Batsford, hardcover, 128 pp, colour (150 colour photos),
ISBN 0-71348-778-X
£19.99 GBP

Available from

Batik has moved a long way since its interest in the West began. In Batik - New Techniques, New Materials, Britain's leading batik artist provides a book that takes the craft beyond the basics to include new materials as well as new techniques. Lavishly illustrated in colour and clearly arranged and written, it includes working on paper, wood and leather as well as textiles, plus a series of step-by-step sequences of key techniques. The work of the author and international batik artists and historical pieces will be used to illustrate the techniques and materials covered in the book.

Creative Batik
Rosi Robinson
2001, Search Press, 260 x 204 mm, paperback, 96 pp, colour (150 colour photos), ISBN 0-85532-892-4
£9.95 GBP

Available from

Rosi Robinson shows how to create a stunning range of beautiful batik designs, patterns and pictures using a series of innovative step-by-step projects. She explores many different techniques, from making simple marks and drawing with wax, to dipping and painting with dyes, etching, cracking, discharging and more.

Rosi Robinson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and educated in England and the USA, graduating with a BA (Hons) in History, from Vassar College, New York. Her interest in batik came in 1970 while at teacher training college. She is now Head of Art at Cumnnor House School in Danehill, Sussex, England.

Rosi has held workshops and exhibited in Canada, the USA and Europe, and travelled widely in Indonesia, and China, where she studied batik, lectured and exhibited her work. Trips to Canada, Indonesia, China and Sri Lanka have influenced her subject matter, which varies widely from landscapes and seascapes to portraits and sporting scenes. Although her pictures are principally figurative, she enjoys experimenting with wax and dyes, developing ideas in more abstract ways on cotton silk and paper.

Search Press, Wellwood, North Farm Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3DR. Telephone +44 (0)1892 510850 Fax +44 (0)1892 515903 sales@searchpress.com

Batik is an exciting and unusual art form in which vivid and original fabric designs are steadily built up by the repeated use of hot wax and dyes. By following seven easy to understand step-by-step projects, you will discover the fascination of this craft, which originated in the Far East and reached its peak in Indonesia.

As a method of decorating and patterning cloth, the possibilities for experimentation are endless. The finished batiks may end up as garments, cushion covers, wall hangings or as pictures, stretched or dry-mounted.

Sarah Tucker's own enthusiastic approach offers a stimulating introduction to batik for the complete beginner, but will also inspire those who already have experience in the medium.

Sarah Tucker discovered batik in 1971 and has been addicted ever since. Originally a theatre company manager, she abandoned that profession to concentrate on a career as a batik artist and teacher. In addition to work in private collections, her batiks have been exhibited in galleries all over Great Britain.

The Crowood Press, The Stable Block, Crowood Lane, Ramsbury, Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 2HR. Telephone +44 (0)1672 520320 Fax +44 (0)1672 520280

Joy Campbell trained as a graphic designer, and then began teaching art and crafts to children. Joy became fascinated by batik seven years ago, 'It appealed to all parts of me: the designer, the practical crafts person, and the creative artist'. She now teaches batik to adults and is a member of the British Batik Guild. In addition to work in private collections, her batiks have been exhibited in galleries all over the UK.

Available from The Apple Press, 6 Blundell Street, London N7 9BH, England. Telephone +44 (0)476 541080. Or Chartwell Books, From Booksales, 212 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Catalogue of the International Batik Gathering 'Now & Then', Gent, Belgium, 1999. Features batik of all styles exhibited from 47 of the world's top contemporary batik artists, from Belgium, England, Ireland, Germany, Spain, Austria, Estonia, Rep of Moldova, Russia, Indonesia, Japan, China, India, Burkina Faso, United States, Chile and Australia.

Available from Rita Trefois

In this book Jill Kennedy and Jane Varrall explore many different ways of applying colour to fabric. They show how to achieve unusual textures simply by painting directly on to wet or dry fabric; how to create flowers with salt; how to paint backgrounds by spraying through objects ranging from cheese graters to lace; and how to achieve wild and wonderful effects with finishes such as stippling, spattering and flicking. They discuss traditional techniques such as tie-dye and batik, as well as using unlikely substances such as household bleach to 'move' dyes across fabric. Much of the equipment required is very basic: combs, vegetables and even tooth-brushes are among the items used to create various printed and sprayed effects.

Jill Kennedy and Jane Varrall explore new ideas and examine a wide variety of techniques for creating exciting textures and designs on a range of silks. Their methods of working are accompanied by clear instructions and many colour photographs illustrating the wonderful effects that can be achieved.

The authors show how you can paint, print, stencil, spray, sprinkle, smear, blow and draw on silk. Practical information is given on sponging, pleating, cracking, combing and crumpling. The majority of the techniques do not require great artistic ability - just enthusiasm and the confidence to experiment with dyes, paints and a variety of materials including wax, gutta, pens, and even sugar, salt and alcohol.

Each chapter covers one technique in detail and the final part of the book contains an extensive reference section which describes all the equipment and materials needed for painting on silk. Advice is given on frames, brushes, drawing equipment, methods of fixing, dyes, silks and setting up a workroom. There is information on the best silks to use for different projects and on washing and caring for the finished items.

Book and video both available from Jill Kennedy

You can produce beautiful and original designs on silk even if you are not an expert. The techniques are clearly described in this book, along with a comprehensive description of all the materials and equipment required. Practical advice is given on how to create your own clothes accessories, furnishings and decorations, and there are many colourful projects ranging from simple items such as greeting cards, photograph frames, pictures, ribbons and scarves, to more complicated items including lampshades, jackets and kimonos.

Detailed instructions and diagrams show how to plan, sew and make up each project with professional looking results. All the illustrations and examples have been specially produced by the authors and the superb colour photographs will inspire you to create beautiful silk items of your own.

Enquiries to Jill Kennedy