The Magic of Magic Sizing

On previous post I mentioned spraying silk with magic sizing as a stop flow agent on the silk. I have recently learned that magic sizing can be used to manipulate silk paint colors on silk. How it's done is simple. Take a plastic container of some sorts it's a lid, spray the sizing into that container. It will bubble & foam, but continue to spray until it accumulates. Let it sit, lid off, for a while, 30 minutes at least, preferably overnight. You can brush this liquid onto the silk which acts as a stronger stop flow resist, a wetting agent, which allows you to manipulate the paints because the sizing doesn't allow the paint to immediately soak into the silk, thus keeping the silk wet longer. I use this to soften the edges when I have shading to do or when I have a large area to cover with the paint. It's much easier than trying to brush out the hard edges that form when the paint soaks into the silk quickly. You can use this method to create textures like tree bark , grass, and I such. I usually spray a 4 oz. deli container at least half full, let it sit, then put on the lid. I have plenty to use as needed. The sizing usually dries within an hour so you don't have to wait a long time between painting sessions. Again this method is not mine exclusively, silk artist Karen Sistek created it, I'm just passing it along as I learn more about using this substance in silk painting.