Line & Wash Watercolor Batik on Kinwashi Rice Paper

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DATES, TIMES & COST:  TBA 2026 Season

Course Description:

Explore the luminous and textured world of Line and Wash Watercolor Batik on Kinwashi Rice Paper. This immersive, hands-on workshop teaches students how to combine bold waterproof marker linework with flowing watercolor washes and layers of wax resist to create uniquely vibrant and textured works. Participants will work directly on delicate Kinwashi rice paper, embracing its fibrous, translucent quality to produce richly layered compositions. The technique draws from traditional batik practices and watercolor traditions in a fresh, accessible way.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the course, students will:

• - Work confidently on Kinwashi rice paper and understand its unique surface properties
• - Create expressive line drawings using waterproof markers
• - Layer watercolor and wax to develop texture, color, and depth
• - Learn safe and effective wax removal using newspaper and heat
• - Gain skills in composition, color layering, and creative experimentation

Daily Schedule Overview:

Foundations

• Introduction to the history and principles of Line & Wash Batik
• Demo: Drawing directly with waterproof Sharpies
• Studio setup: Working over loose parchment paper to protect surfaces and allow lifting
• Wax resist techniques demo: brush, sponges, and spatter
• Students begin developing initial compositions

Color & Layering

• Demo: Transparent watercolor washes between wax layers
• Student work time: Painting and applying additional wax layers
• Guidance on layering for depth, movement, and contrast
• Drying or Freezing and preparing for wax removal

Wax Removal & Finishing

• Demo: Using newspaper and an iron to safely remove wax
• Studio time: Final touch-ups, optional second piece
• Group critique and discussion on mounting, framing, or further experimentation

Materials Provided by Instructor:

• - Kinwashi rice paper
• - Beeswax/paraffin wax blend
• - Waterproof Sharpie markers (variety of tips)
• - Loose parchment paper (used as a working surface beneath the rice paper)
• - Newspaper (used for ironing and wax removal)
• - Painter’s tape
• - Demo tools: brushes, sponges, irons
• - Shared watercolor palettes (if needed)

Student Supply List:

• - Watercolor brush set
• - Water container, apron, and paper towels
• - Optional: Personal watercolor paints and reference images

Target Audience:

Ideal for watercolorists, illustrators, fiber artists, and creatives looking to explore texture, translucency, and process-based painting on alternative surfaces.