Between Paper and Silk

There is a distinct difference in paintings done on watercolor paper and one done on silk, even though they use the same type of paint, in this case watercolors from the tube. Paper, being a harder surface than silk, is more reflective of the light resulting in brighter colors on the surface. The first photo is on paper and shows this. The second photo is of a painting done with the same watercolors as the one on paper but is on silk instead. Notice how the colors are much deeper, resembling an oil painting.mi think this is because the silk absorbs the light instead of reflecting it the way paper does. The difference in the way the paint behaves on the two surfaces is what, I believe, gives each it's unique look. By the way, both should be framed under glass to protect the surface.

 I discovered painting with watercolors on silk is an ancient technique used by the Chinese before other types of paints or dyes were developed. The Chinese used both watercolors and inks on silk for their paintings. Now, I'm not Chinese in any form and not as ancient as the technique of watercolor on silk ( I am growing older as we all are) but I just tried painting on silk habotai with regular tube watercolors to see what it looked like, I like the result. I did find the watercolors are brighter in tone than silk paints, yet the same obstacles remain by suing silk over paper, I.e. Neither paint can be lifted with any success from the silk, once a mark is made with the brush on the silk, it's there and can't be manipulated the way one would with paint on paper. So you have to carefully plan the painting.

 Also, on silk with watercolor, you can't use a water soluble resist because ipthe color will wash out with the resist. For whites in a silk painting I recommend using a cold wax that can be painted on with a brush or using white opaque paint of some type, gouache is good. Anyway, the experiment ends on painting watercolors on silk. Consensus is that it looks good but it's NOT recommended for garments or silk that will be turned into a garment, including scarves, watercolors on silk should be only used on paintings that will be used as fine art, to be hung on the wall, framed and under glass. Use either dyes or silk paints on anything to be used as a garment. 

I hope this info helps you, the painter, in some way.