Watercolor Batik Technique

Watercolor batik is similar to the age old fabric batik but I paint on fibrous rice paper instead of cloth. Melted wax is painted onto the areas that I want to stay whiteand then I start painting in the lighter colors of the painting. The wax is then used to protect these lighter areas - the process of painting and waxing is repeated until the entire piece is covered. The paper is then crinkled to crack the wax, a dark color is painted over it to give that 'batik' look. The wax is then ironed off and the result is always a unique and surprising piece of art. A very fun process!