Marabu Contours & Effects 100

Instructions:

Marabu Contours & Effects can be used as a contouring medium for subsequent painting with Marabu Silk, on the dried silk painted with Marabu Silk or on untreated silk fabrics.

Use as a contouring medium in combination with Marabu Silk:
Marabu Contours & Effects provides very good blocking on thin and medium silk fabrics. On thick silk fabrics (from sponge 14, crepe satin 12.5, crepe de chine 16) we recommend applying the coloured contours as wide as possible and clear contours slightly wider or on both sides to prevent colour from transferring when filling in.
Leave the contours to dry thoroughly and then paint with Marabu Silk. Do not use too much paint. After drying fix according to the instructions.
All coloured contouring mediums are resistant to washing and dry cleaning after fixing. Simply soak the clear contouring medium in water after fixing and wash out.

Use as special effect paint in combination with Marabu Silk:
Apply Marabu Silk as desired or completely coat the entire silk fabric. After drying, different techniques can be used to apply Marabu Contours & Effects (see Tips & Ideas). Then leave to dry thoroughly and fix together with Marabu Silk according to the instructions.

Fixing:
Fix Marabu Contours & Effects with an iron or in the oven after drying. You can also fix your design in one single step if you are using Marabu Silk in addition to Marabu Contours & Effects.

Set the iron to cotton temperature and iron from the reverse through a thin cotton cloth or a sheet of baking paper for 2-3 minutes (for each 30 x 30 cm section). Keep moving the iron throughout.
Or: Fix the silk in a pre-heated oven for 8 minutes at 150°C. We recommend placing the silk on a sheet of baking paper to avoid unwanted burnt patches. This type of fixing is not suitable for large silk fabrics.

After fixing Marabu Contours & Effects is resistant to washing and dry-cleaning. Simply clean brushes and other tools with water immediately after painting. Stir or shake lightly before use.

Stamping technique on silk

Modern silk painting on a firm support makes it possible to use stamps on silk.

Here`s how it`s done:
1. Stretch the silk onto a firm support as described.
2. Apply some paint - Marabu Velvet Touch, Marabu Contours & Effects or Marabu Silk in combination with Marabu Silk Thickener - onto an even surface (e.g. paper plate) and roll it out smoothly using a paint roller. Do not use too much paint otherwise the fine spaces in the stamp will get blocked up with paint.
3. Then press the Marabu Design Stamp into the paint, motif side down. Check that the motif is completely covered with paint. Carefully add more using the paint roller, if necessary.
4. You can now stamp on silk painted with Marabu Silk, silk dyed with Marabu Silk Color or on untreated silk fabrics. Press the stamp lightly and evenly onto the silk (approx. 10-15 sec.) so that the paint really seeps into the silk. If necessary, try the first stamp print on a test surface and press into the paint again.Silk painting on a stretching frame

Stretching the silk onto a wooden frame is the most popular stretching technique for silk painting.

Here`s how it`s done:

1. Stretch the silk onto a frame which is big enough using stretching fasteners or pins. Press the fasteners or pins into the frame, alternating right and left for the best results.

2. Now the silk can be painted - just as you like. First paint the outlines and allow them to dry well. Then paint in the motif with Marabu Silk.

3. As soon as the paint is dry, remove the silk and fix according to the instructions.Outline technique on silk

Painting outlines on silk is really easy with Marabu Contours & Effects. The outlines are painted straight from the liner. Then the outlines are painted in with Marabu Silk.

Here`s how it`s done:

1. Simply put a pattern under the transparent film painting support or under the silk stretched onto a frame, then even difficult patterns can be easily copied.

2. Shake Marabu Contours & Effects in the direction of the liner tip to avoid drops of paint through air bubbles.
Important: The outlines must be solid otherwise the silk paint will bleed through.

3. Allow the outlines to dry very well before painting in with Marabu Silk to prevent the silk paint from bleeding through. Do not to apply too much paint to the silk with the brush when filling in the outlines, as otherwise the shapes will be flooded.

4. Then fix all together following the instructions.Stencilling technique on silk

Add new highlights with versatile stencils from Marabu. There is nothing in the way of stencilling on silk on a firm support!

Here`s how it`s done:

1. Stretch the silk onto a firm support as described.

2. Spray stencil with Marabu Silk Easy Fix, Marabu Adhesive Spray or Marabu Fix-it and allow to dry briefly. Place it in the chosen position and firmly press onto the silk painted with Marabu Silk, dyed with Marabu Silk Color or onto the white silk fabric. Cover the stencils with kitchen paper to make it easy to smooth out the paint.

3. Do not use too much paint: When painting with Marabu Velvet Touch, Marabu Contours & Effects and thickened Marabu Silk using a stencilling brush, dab off surplus paint onto scrap paper first. When you work with a paint roller, roll the paint out smoothly onto a paper plate, for example, before stencilling. This prevents excess paint from getting under the stencil.

4. Remove the stencil when still wet.

5. The stencil can be re-used several times when sprayed just once with Marabu Silk Easy Fix, Marabu Adhesive Spray or Marabu Fix-it. After completion, rinse stencil under cold water.Monotype technique on silk

This printing technique produces unintentional and sophisticated results: unique and changing pictures and effects are achieved with each print - whether freehand or with the help of a pattern.

Here`s how it`s done:

1. Paint the motif with Marabu Velvet Touch, Marabu Contours & Effects or thickened Marabu Silk on a painting base. While doing so a pattern can be put under the transparent base. For monotype technique, it doesn't matter whether you paint precisely. Particularly beautiful effects can be obtained with Marabu Velvet Touch.

2. Draw the desired pattern into the paint using a rubber brush or similar.

3. Place the painted side of the base onto the silk fabric painted with Marabu Silk, dyed with Marabu Silk Color or onto the white silk fabric.

4. Carefully lift the base off, and it's finished!

5. If desired, fine details can be directly added with the liner or with a brush.Masking technique on silk

Striped patterns on silk can be achieved without outlines: mask all areas not to be painted with adhesive tape. To obtain exact stripes even for large pieces, measure and mark the desired width at each side first. Then paint in with thickened Marabu Silk, Marabu Contours & Effects or Velvet Touch using a paint roller or stencilling brush. Do not use too much paint.
Then allow to dry and mask stripes again or continue working with stencils and stamps. Remove the adhesive tape when still wet, then allow to dry.

TIP: Start from the middle when removing the adhesive tape. Carefully lift the tape and tear it sideways. This prevents the area of painted silk from lifting up.Free painting on silk

Design your motifs "freehand".

First of all choose a brush for your design. The stronger the brush hairs the more visible the brush strokes will remain after fixing. When you paint with Marabu Velvet Touch, we recommend a very soft brush so that the velvety effect is particularly successful. Thickened Marabu Silk can also be used.

Outlines and embellishments on silk

Particularly delicate outlines and embellishments with Marabu Contours & Effects can be achieved with the Marabu metal paint tips which can simply be placed on the plastic tip of the liner tube. Do not use the 0.3 mm tip for Glitter paints as the glitter particles are too large and could clog the tip.Caring for painted textiles and silk

Never iron painted areas directly, always place a thin cotton cloth between fabric and iron.Tips for Silk beginners

Stretch the silk tightly over the frame or a hard surface. Coloured outlines or effects are fixed together with the silk paint; clear outlines, thickener or salt residue can be washed out in lukewarm water after fixing.

Oven fixing Silk, Contours & Effects

Can Marabu Silk, Contours & Effects also be fixed in the oven?

Yes. Place the silk loosely e.g. on aluminium foil or baking paper on a clean shelf and fix for 8 minutes at 150 °C in a pre-heated oven. Reposition large pieces of silk during the fixing time so all sections are heated evenly.Coloured Contours & Effects coming away

Why do the coloured Marabu Contours & Effects come away from the silk after washing?

The fixing process should be checked in this case: Marabu Contours & Effects has to be fixed for 2-3 minutes on the back of each painted area through a thin cloth using the cotton setting (150 °C) while constantly moving the iron. After a resting period of a few hours, very carefully wash the textile by loosely floating it in a sink using delicate or liquid detergent - do not wring!Blocking the Silk paint when using Contours & Effects for contouring

Why does Marabu Contours & Effects not block the Silk paints effectively?

This can have various reasons, originating from how the outlines and the silk paint have been applied. It is important that the Marabu Contours & Effects penetrates the silk and that the outlines are completely continuous. Critical spots can be found by holding the fabric up to the light. Allow the outlines to dry thoroughly. Then apply the silk paint carefully and not too liberally to allow the paint to slowly approach the separating lines. Do not fill in any areas next to paint that is still wet.