1.

HOW TO MAKE A SILK PAINTING:

a. What we need:

- Silk
- Scissors
- Water-based resist
- Pencil
- Paper
- Brush
- Paints (liquid fabric paints, watercolors, or silk dye)
- Framing supplies
- **Water spray (artist’s special technique)

- Silk: Can be found at most fabric supply stores.

- Scissors: To cut silk to size, this can be ordered at supply stores.

- Water-based resist: Resist is a special type of adhesive that’s used for painting on silk since it
won’t cause the silk to shrink or wrinkle when it dries. You’ll use this to outline your designs,
which you’ll then fill in with your paint. Make sure to choose a water-based resist, since it
will easily wash out with warm water when your painting is complete.

- Pencil: For sketching out the idea.

- Paper: You’ll sketch your design here first before translating it onto the silk.

- Brush: For painting. You may choose to use brushes of other various sizes too depending on
the detail of the painting.

- Paints: Use paints that are made specifically for silk or other types of fabric painting. Liquid
fabric paints, watercolors, and silk dye would work as well.

- Framing supplies: Framing your silk provides you with a taut surface to work from. Use
stretcher bars or a wooden frame, and secure the silk with either thumbtacks (if you want to
eventually remove it from the frame) or staples. Be sure that you buy enough silk that you
have several more inches of fabric than your chosen frame size since you’ll need to have
extra to secure around the sides.

- **Water spray: To create a characteristic effect on certain areas.

b. Steps to make a silk painting:

- Step 1: Prepare silk for painting:
- Step 2: Sketch and transfer the design
- Step 3: Add-on the water base resist
- Step 4: Paint
- Step 5: Set the paint in place to dry
2. Artist Vu Thuy Mai:

Vu Thuy Mai, was born into a family with no artistic tradition in the mountains of Lao Cai,
Vietnam. Although she did not have the opportunity to be exposed to art since childhood,
this did not stop her passion for it. Vu Thuy Mai started working in the art environment as
a teacher and only when the COVID epidemic started did she devote time to create
paintings.

Thuy Mai's primary medium is silk painting, a traditional Vietnamese art form. Her
paintings depict everyday objects imbued with the quintessence of Vietnamese culture as
well as her own.

“Dried silk" is the technique that makes Thuy Mai's silk paintings unique. She selectively
moistens/sprays water on certain areas to create a characteristic effect, which is different
from the traditional method. This approach allowed her to control the vibrancy of the
colors and achieve the desired visual expression. This result exudes a sense of energy and
vibrancy, reflecting the artist's intention, one of her beliefs to convey the beauty of life and
its boundless potential and serenity.

Thuy Mai comes from a non-artistic family background (she was born in Lao Cai - a province of
the mountainous Northwest region of Vietnam). Growing up, she didn't have the conventional
support or exposure to art that some artists might have had from their families. However, this
didn't deter her from pursuing her passion for painting. It made her appreciate and cherish her
artistic path even more.

“I stumbled upon art quite unexpectedly. During high school, a friend invited me to join an art
class as she wanted to apply to an art school. Although I had initially planned to pursue
journalism and communication, I found the art class incredibly enjoyable and decided to join my
friend in honing my drawing skills. In the end, my friend never went to art school, and instead, I
enrolled in the National University of Arts Education.

After graduation though, I became an art teacher to ensure a stable income. The idea of solely
focusing on painting without any other profession seemed risky. What if nobody liked or
collected my artwork? How would I sustain myself and my family? However, amidst the
unfortunate circumstances of the COVID pandemic, teaching art classes became increasingly
unstable. It was during this time that I found myself with more dedicated hours to focus on my
artistic creations.

Filled with excitement, I began sharing photos of my paintings on Facebook, and to my surprise,
they received love and support from people. This positive response and encouragement fueled
my determination. Now, I am incredibly grateful to be able to make a living as an artist. It brings
me immeasurable joy and fulfillment, surpassing my wildest”

After completing her studies at an art school (National University of Arts Education), Thuy Mai
initially juggled multiple jobs to make ends meet. She explored different avenues, trying to find
her place in the art world. However, she soon realized that true success and fulfillment would
only come if she focused wholeheartedly on her craft. This realization marked a turning point in
her career.

Over the past few years, Thuy Mai has dedicated herself more intensely to her painting. This
increased focus has begun to yield positive results, with her art garnering growing admiration
from her audience. Though the recognition may be modest at this stage, it has come through the
support of those who love her paintings, whether through group exhibitions she participates in or
on social media platforms like Facebook.

Thuy Mai's primary medium is silk painting, a traditional Vietnamese art form. Her paintings
feature daily objects that carry the cultural essence of Vietnam as well as the essence of her own.
Through her art, she seeks to capture the simplicity and intimacy of everyday life. It is in these
ordinary moments that she finds peace and inspiration. Thuy Mai believes that her ability to
balance her roles as a wife, a mother, and an artist stems from this inner tranquility.

The unique aspect of Thuy Mai's silk paintings lies in her technique, which she refers to as "dry
silk." Unlike the traditional methods of Vietnamese silk painting that involve “silk wash”, Thuy
Mai selectively dampens/sprays water on certain areas to create specific effects. This approach
allows her to control the vibrancy of colors and achieve the desired visual expression. The
resulting artworks exude a sense of energy and vibrance, reflecting the artist's intention to
convey the beauty of life and its boundless potential and serenity.

Thuy Mai's paintings have found a special place in the office where I work. The two pieces
hanging on the wall have become a source of inspiration and solace for me and my colleagues.
Each morning, as we enter the workspace, we are greeted by the tranquil yet vivid energy
emanating from the paintings. They remind us to appreciate the beauty in the ordinary and to
find solace amid our daily routines. Thuy Mai's art, with its delicate and tender qualities, touches
our visual senses and uplifts our spirits.

Through silk paintings, Thuy Mai manages to capture the essence of Vietnamese culture, the
serenity of everyday life, and the boundless energy that emanates from such tranquility. Her
unique technique and vibrant use of colors create artworks that not only visually engage the
viewer but also provide a sense of comfort and inspiration. Thuy Mai's art is a testament to the
beauty that can be found in simplicity and the profound impact it can have on our lives
NOTE:
- Audience analysis
- Attract to online and more potential audience
- Promote event: smaller size, specific participants who are more attracted to the art

BRIEF:
- Clean cut, kneed
- International target
- Raw photo
- 1 cover photo, post on Instagram (square size)

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