Fabric Painting Intro

This is just a basic supply list of all the materials you'll be using in this series. You will not be using them all at once unless you intend to do mixed media. There are a lot of options from traditional media to modern sticks and pencils. If you don't mind buying directly from China, ebay has some great deals. All of our basic art supplies are made there anyway so it won't hurt to buy generic. I've included cheaper options of name brands. Any media that is used on paper or canvas can be used on raw fabric. Every media except paint, wax crayons and Inktense or liquid ink has to be sealed with fabric medium for use on a quilt.

Acrylic Paint

Craft paint consists of a small amount of pigment mixed with alumina hydrate and talc as a filler in an opaque emulsion. It isn't as vibrant as artist paint.

I prefer Apple Barrel because it's specially formulated for fabric even though it isn't marketed as a fabric paint. It's also available at Walmart for $0.50 per bottle or $1.47 for metallic. This 18 bottle set on eBay for $27.75 will get you started. Heat set only.

Multiple layers applied to fabric straight from the bottle retain the fabric texture while remaining pliable. It has an initial texture of screen printing, but softens after repeated washing.

Folk Art paints are available in a wider range of colors than Apple Barrel, but they don't work well on fabric.

Folk Art Artist Pigments include gold, yellow ochre, light red oxide, burnt umber, raw umber, burnt sienna, raw sienna, ashphaltum and pure black.

I don't like using Folk Art on fabric because it is too transparent and contains too much glycerin. The glycerin is what makes it thick and creamy. However, glycerin is a plasticizer that makes acrylic behave like oil paint.

When used on fabric, it has a tacky consistency that dries to a gummy finish with visible brush strokes. The coverage is uneven and multiple layers make it worse. It has no adhesion. It was intended for primed canvas and wood. It isn't suitable for fabric unless it's diluted with a lot of water and used as a wash, but I found a way to make it work.

I mixed 1/4 teaspoon of paint with 2 drops of water to dilute the glycerin. I added 1 drop of fabric medium for adhesion, 1/8 teaspoon of kaolin to thicken and 1/4 teaspoon of chalk to opacify. Add a drop of water at a time to get the right consistency.

This is the end result. It has good adhesion and dries quickly without brush strokes. The color is light because of the chalk. I personally wouldn't bother with it unless I absolutely had to.

Folk Art also has a line of fabric paint, but I can't find it locally. Heat set only.

Martha Stewart and Delta Ceramcoat are also made by Plaid Enterprises.  I'm not sure if they work on fabric.

DecoArt Americana is a different company, but their acrylics can also be used. I'm not sure if they work on fabric.

DecoArt Traditions is a line of artist acrylics in traditional colors, but ochres are excluded. They range in price from $4.24-12.00 for a 3oz bottle. I'm not sure if they work on fabric.

Soft Body Acrylic

Soft body acrylic contains pigment mixed with an opaque emulsion and no fillers.

There's a soft body fabric paint by DecoArt called So Soft that I'm dying to try.

It offeres opaque coverage in 1-2 coats; can be applied with a brush, sponge and quilt stencils or stamp and doesn't require heat setting. The colors match their Americana line. They also sell a transparent medium that allows the paint to substitute for Pebeo Setacolor. It comes in 42 mattes, 3 neons, 3 pearls, 4 metallics, 8 fine glitters and 7 team spirit writer pens. It's available in 42 colors for $1.98 per bottle at DecoArt. Heat set only.

Quilt artists recommend Liquitex Professional soft body acrylic which sells for $9.49 per bottle or tube and they're not sold in sets. Heat set only.

Arteza sells a 60'count set of 22ml acrylics for $39.99. They also have a set of 36 metallics for $40.99. Heat set only.

Arteza now offers a set of 30 fabric paints. These are a variety of fluorescent, metallic, glitter and glow puff paints. They're available from Arteza for $25.99. Heat set only, except puff paint.

Walmart.com sells the 36 set of Liquitex Basics soft body acrylic in tubes for $21.43. The Basics line has a light pigment load, so they may be transparent. Heat set only.

If you really want to try textile paint, I recommend the Jacquard Paint Exciter Pack: Textile Traditionals for $6.99. This is a set of 9 basic colors that will get you started. Heat set only.

Golden fluid artist acrylics have the largest variety of traditional artist colors and work well on fabric, but they're pricey. A 10 bottle set is $38.39. Fluid acrylics are usually poured onto a canvas, airbrushed or screenprinted. Do not heat set!

Pebeo Setacolor Transparent paints are pigment mixed with a clear emulsion. The colors are vibrant, mixable, and diluted with gel retarder instead of water or medium. This is the set of 10 for $36.59 as recommended by Annette Kennedy. Heat set only.

She recommends this paint because it allows the pattern to show through. She then uses gel retarder, to dilute the color the same as you would use water to dilute watercolor. Every media I've used on fabric allowed the pattern to show through, so the Setacolor paints aren't necessary for achieving this effect. You can see the evidence of this in my Exploring Media article. Transparent paint does, however allow you to create a soft shadow without altering the color of the fabric. Using a gel retarder instead of water or fluid retarder (glycerin) reduces bleeding and offers more control over paint application.

All paint should be heat set.

Liquid Media

Pigment ink is pigment mixed with liquid shellac. Nothing is more vibrant and the colors are mixable and blendable. Use them with empty markers, water brush, or stamps. Once heat set, it is permanent and no longer blendable. Tsukneko acid free all purpose pigment ink is available from Soft Expressions for 4.49 each. Permanent without heat setting and washable without sealing.

Dr. Ph Martin’s Hydrous Fine Art Liquid watercolor is pigment mixed with liquid gum arabic. It makes a great wash or splatter medium and lasts longer than pans. Dilute with aloe gel to control bleed. Heat set and seal with fabric medium. Available in three sets of twelve 15 ml bottles for $51.44 at Blick Art.

Watercolor Pans

Watercolor is traditionally stored in tubes, but is made into a cake for plein air use. Once dry, it can be moistened and blended again. Moisten with aloe gel to control bleed. Heat set and seal with fabric medium. This is the Sennelier set of 48 half pans for $252.45 at Blick Art.

This is the Arteza set of 36 half pans for $34.99. Moisten with aloe gel to control bleed. Heat set and seal with fabric medium.

I love these smaller, more portable professional quality watercolors. Moisten with aloe gel to control bleed. Heat set and seal with fabric medium. The 42 color set is on eBay for $15.99. The 18 color pastel set is $13.29.

This is the Loew Cornell Simply Art set of 36 for $4.54 at walmart.com. The quality is inferior, but they work on fabric. Moisten with aloe gel to control bleed. Heat set and seal with fabric medium.

Finetec Mica Watercolors are available from Blick Art as a set of 24 colors for $65.00. Moisten with aloe gel to control bleed. Heat set and seal with fabric medium.

This 21 set of Yasutomo pearlescent watercolors are available at walmart.com for $7.00. Moisten with aloe gel to control bleed. Heat set and seal with fabric medium.

Markers

The best fabric markers I've found are by Arteza. They’re available on Amazon for $21.99/36 count dual tip set. These are permanent without heat setting and washable without sealing. They apply with minimal bleed. 

Arteza sells a 30 count set for $23.99. Permanent without heat setting and washable without sealing.

 

Traditional pen & ink doesn't work on fabric. This Prismacolor black assorted marker set contains .005, .05, brush, and chisel tips. They are water and UV resistant. Walmart sells them for $7.54. Eight colors are available from Blick Art. The Sharpie Stylo pen also works. It doesn't bleed, is acid free, and it's water and fade resistant. It only comes with a fine point, but is available in 10 colors. These are the best for signature/album quilts. Permanent without heat setting and washable without sealing.

The only calligraphy marker I recommend for fabric is the Zig Memory System. Each double-ended pen contains pure water based pigment ink. The ink is photo-safe, acid-free, lightfast, fade proof, non-bleeding, odorless, xylene free, and smear-proof (when dry). This set of 48 sells for $158.49. Blick Art sells a set of 12 for $28.29.  Permanent without heat setting and washable without sealing.

If you want to make your own calligraphy markers, fine liners or pens, get an empty Montana marker with a 3mm chisel, 0.8mm or 0.1mm tip and fill it with Versa Craft ink. I don't recommend India, walnut, or alcohol based ink because it isn't water or UV resistant. Versa Craft is specially formulated for fabric. It's water based, blendable, and mixable. It's permanent after heat setting. Available from Soft Expressions. Use the ink neat or diluted. Dilute with aloe gel to control bleed.

Winsor & Newton 12 set of watercolor markers for $41.99. Use aloe gel to control bleed. Heat set and seal with fabric medium.

This is the Arteza 96 count of watercolor brush pens for $59.98. Use aloe gel to control bleed. Heat set and seal with fabric medium.

This is the Magicfly 100 count dual tip watercolor brush marker set on eBay for $25.75. Use water to blend. Heat set and seal with fabric medium.

This is the Arteza 102 count of fineliner pens for $38.99. They're perfect for outlining and detail work. Heat set and seal with fabric medium.

Dye based washable markers aren't the same thing, but they can be sealed and most mistakes will wash out. Use rubbing alcohol to blend. Heat set and seal with fabric medium. This set of 120 for $10.34 is available from eBay.

Water Soluble Crayons

Watercolor crayons are pigment mixed with a water soluble wax-like substance. They're as vibrant as ink.  Use aloe gel to control bleed. Seal with fabric medium only. This is the Caran d'Ache Neocolor II set of 84 for $137.55 on Blick Art.

This Mungyo Gallery water soluble oil pastel set of 24 sells on eBay for $22.96. Use aloe gel to control bleed. Seal with fabric medium only.

This Mungyo Gallery metallic water soluble oil pastel set of 24 sells on eBay for $28.96. Use aloe gel to control bleed. Seal with fabric medium only.

Faber Castell Gelatos are a new type of water soluble crayon made of gel. They are creamy, compact pigment sticks that glide easily onto paper, canvas, wood, and more. Infused with brilliant color, they can be used dry, or dissolved with water to create watercolor effects. Stamping with Gelatos Colors is easy, too. Just apply color to a stamp and apply the stamp to your surface, or apply a field of color and use a stamp to remove it! These acid-free , odorless, lightfast pigment sticks work wonderfully on flocked papers and embellishments, too, to create works of art that last. Their twist-up design keeps hands clean. Available in brights, iridescents, metallics, pastels and translucents. They are purchased in sets like the  Dolce II set of 33 for $46.41from Blick Art. Sets of 4 are $10.45. Sets of 15 are $24.66. There are a total of 52 colors available open stock for $2.45 each from Faber Castell. Use aloe gel to control bleed. Seal with fabric medium only.

Pencils

Derwent Inktense pencils are shellac ink in stick form. They're indelible ink pencils on acid! They lay down like colored pencils, but bleed worse than watercolor. Apply a tiny amount of color. Use aloe gel to control bleed. Heat setting and sealing is not necessary. This is the 72 count set for $29.29 at Blick Art. I have not found a generic equivalent for Inktense.

This is the 72 count set of Derwent Watercolor for $98.99 at Blick Art. Heat set and seal with fabric medium.

This is the Lyra Rembrandt Aquarell set of 72 for $93.72 at Blick Art. Heat set and seal with fabric medium.

This is the Prismacolor Watercolor set of 72 for $40.47 at Blick Art. Heat set and seal with fabric medium.

This is the Professional Aquarel Artist Water Soluble 72 count set for $33.53 on eBay. This is the set that I own and work with. It could be a dupe for Derwent Watercolor because the pencils are nearly identical. Use aloe gel to control bleed. Heat set and seal with fabric medium.

Arteza sells a 72 count set of watercolor pencils for $28.98. Use aloe gel to control bleed. Heat set and seal with fabric medium.

This is the Cretacolor Monolith Woodless pencil set of 72 for $159.18 at Blick Art. Use aloe gel to control bleed. Heat set and seal with fabric medium.

This is the Faber Castel Albrecht Dürer set of 120 for $64.15 at Blick Art. Use aloe gel to control bleed. Heat set and seal with fabric medium.

This is the Caran d' Ache Supracolor Soft Aquarelle set of 120 for $199.99 at Blick Art. Use aloe gel to control bleed. Heat set and seal with fabric medium.

This Soucolor set of 150 watercolor pencils is $30.01 on eBay. Use aloe gel to control bleed. Heat set and seal with fabric medium.

Water Soluble Graphitint Pencils are great for creating soft tinted shadows. This is the Derwent set of 24 for $43.07 at Blick Art. There is also a Graphitint 12 color paint pan set here for $20.99. Use aloe gel to control bleed. Heat set and seal with fabric medium.

Derwent Graphitone Water Soluble Graphite Pencils are best used for creating soft gray shadows. This is the set of 4 (2B-8B) for $16.79 at Blick Art. I have not found a generic equivalent for these. Use aloe gel to control bleed. Heat set and seal with fabric medium.

Wax Media

The encaustic method is very vibrant on fabric and doesn't need a sealant. Coloring with crayons and heat setting is the oldest technique for painting a quilt. Crayola and other brand crayons are available everywhere. Heat set with a brown paper bag only.

Colored Pencils are the next best thing to crayons. They're available in a wide range of vibrant and muted colors that blend with a variety of methods. They're perfect for coloring small objects and creating fine lines.

This is the Prismacolor 150 set for $88.98 at Blick Art. Heat set and seal with fabric medium. 

This is the Sudee Stile set of 150 for $38.44 on eBay. They're a dupe for Prismacolor. The wood is easy sharpening and sustainable Poplar. Heat set and seal with fabric medium.

Oil Media

Traditional oil paint can't be used on a quilt because linseed oil would damage the fabric and it takes too long to dry. Another problem is that oil paint is too thick and using a caustic thinner would damage the fabric. Pigment sticks are made with walnut oil which dries faster than linseed and isn't caustic. They also contain an ingredient that produces a protective film to prevent the stick from drying. Paint sticks are used with rubbing plates to imprint a pattern onto fabric. Only a trace amount of paint is transferred onto the fabric and it dries quickly. Quilters love them because of the iridescent colors.

 

Richeson Shiva Artist's Paintstick, the set of 15 minis is $51.71 for standard colors. Iridescents are $50.11. A single full size stick costs $7.30. Heat set only with parchment paper.

R&F Pigment Sticks painter's dozen for $155.96 at Blick Art. They are available as opaque or translucent for $70.36, pastel for $65.64 or earth tones for $55.96 . Individual sticks are available in sizes: 38 ml, 100 ml and 188 ml. Prices vary. Heat set only with parchment paper.

Kamapigment.com has 5" oil sticks for $3.05 each, but they're not available in iridescent colors. Heat set only with parchment paper.

Oil pastels are oil paint mixed with kaolin. I love using them on fabric. They're vibrant and blendable with a stencil brush. Seal with varnish on fabric. This is the Sennelier 120 set for $280.50 at Blick Art. Heat set with parchment paper and seal with fabric medium.

This is the Mungyo Gallery set of 72 for $46.98 on eBay. Heat set with parchment paper and seal with fabric medium.

The Mungyo Gallery also has fluorescent oil pastels on eBay for $11.96. No other art house makes fluorescent colors. Heat set with parchment paper and seal with fabric medium.

This is the Cray-Pas Expressionist set of 50 for $27.91 on eBay. This brand contains more pigment than Sakura Junior, Pentel or Crayola. Heat set with parchment paper and seal with fabric medium.

Cray-Pas also sells a transparent extender for $10.70 on eBay. Heat set with parchment paper and seal with fabric medium.

 

Cray-Pas white and black are also available separately in 12 count boxes for $6.45/box. Heat set with parchment paper and seal with fabric medium.

Sennelier 24 set of iridescent soft pastels for $75.33 at Blick Art. Heat set with parchment paper and seal with fabric medium.

This Mungyo Gallery set of 24 metallics is on eBay for $17.99. These can be used in place of the iridescent Shiva paint sticks. Heat set with parchment paper and seal with fabric medium.

The alternative to oil pastels are oil based colored pencils. They contain more oil than wax. These are creamy and blendable like oil pastels and come in a wide range of colors. 

A 120 color set of Faber Castell Polychromos sells for $176.99 at Blick Art. Heat set with parchment paper and seal with fabric medium.

The Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor pencils are a 72 set for $79.99 at Blick Art. Heat set with parchment paper and seal with fabric medium.

The eBay equivalent is the Marco Renoir set of 100 for $85.99. Heat set with parchment paper and seal with fabric medium.

Dry Media

Pastels and Chalk are perfect for creating a base background. They both work on paper and fabric. Chalk is responsive to a wet brush. Dry media is not heat set.

This is the Blick house brand set of 180 soft pastels for $338.95 at Blick Art. Seal with fabric medium.

This is the SoHo Urban Artist set of 120 soft half sticks with travel case for $85.79 on eBay. Seal with fabric medium.

This is the Richeson semi hard pastel set of 120 for $101.99 at Blick Art. Seal with fabric medium.

Mungyo Gallery set of 64 half size semi hard pastels sells for $10.23 on eBay. Half size sets are always cheaper than full size, but they don't have the same color range. Seal with fabric medium.

This is the Prismacolor NuPastel hard pastel set of 96 for $88.28 at Blick Art. Seal with fabric medium.

Lyra Brown set of 12 portrait hard pastels sells on eBay for $18.93. Seal with varnish on fabric.

Mungyo Gallery set of 12 gray tone hard pastels sells on eBay for $14.86. Seal with varnish on fabric.

Drawing chalk is typically scholastic grade. The Prang set of 24 is bright and smooth. It sells for $8.66 at Blick Art. The Crayola set of 24 is less saturated and gritty. Together, they offer a decent range of colors that can be blended. They're water responsive and great for backgrounds! Seal with fabric medium.

The alternative to traditional dry pastels are the Caran d' Ache pastel pencils. These are great for filling small parts of background that peek through focal objects. A 76 color set sells for $249.98 at Blick Art. Seal with fabric medium.

The Cretacolor set of 72 sells for $101.97 at Blick Art. Seal with fabric medium.

The Stabilo CarbOthello 60 color set sells for $85.33 at Blick Art. Seal with fabric medium.

General's 36 pack of earth tone pastel pencils for $36.85 at Blick Art. Seal with fabric medium.

This set of 12 soft portrait pencils sells on eBay for $7.59. Seal with fabric medium.

Conte pencils are a little different. They contain an abrasive making them similar to Crayola chalk, but more vibrant. A 48 count set is $78.99 at Blick Art. Seal with fabric medium.

Use graphite and charcoal for grayscale work just as you would on paper. A set of 24 graphite sketch pencils sells on AliExpress for $8.45. The set includes: H, 2H, 3H, 4H, 5H, 6H, 7H, 8H, 9H, HB, F, B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B, 7B, 8B, 9B, 10B, 11B, 12B and 14B. Graphite pencils and their charcoal equivalents: 9B (2H charcoal), 10B (HB charcoal), 11B (2B charcoal), 12B (4B charcoal) and 14B (6B charcoal). Higher quality 22 degree Hi-Uni Japanese pencils are available on eBay for $37.74. Seal with fabric medium.

Brushes

Fabric has a rough texture that primed canvas doesn't have and it can destroy a brush. Don't buy expensive paint brushes. They're designed for performance, not longevity.

I like to use a watercolor scrubbing brush for painting small areas and blending. It's available from Blick Art for $5.25.

Silver Scrubbing Brushes are specially designed for fabric painting. They're available in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 and 5/8" sizes. Only the assorted set has the 3/8" size. The shapes available are: Angled, Filbert, Dome and Round Stencil. Each shape comes as a set of 3 for $4.62 at Blick Art.

Level Lifter Brushes are designed for lifting large areas of watercolor, but they're perfect for fabric. Get them from Cheap Joe's for $21.69/set of 3.

 

Royal Langnickel Crafter's Choice line is available in various bristle types as 15 piece sets for $7.97 at Walmart. The white taklon is designed for fabric. Fan (#2), Flat Wash (1/2"), Flat Stroke (#8), Flat Shader (1/4"), Angular Wash (3/4"), Angular Stroke (3/8"), Oval Wash (3/4"), Filbert (#4, 1/8"), Round (#2, 4, 6), Liner (#0, 2) and Dotter (5/0).

Flat Wash 1/2", 3/4", 1" for $3.59.

Scruffy 1/2" for $3.99.

Basecoating 2 pc, 1-1/2" for $6.99.

Water Brushes

Water brushes aren't necessary, but they are convenient. Fill them with either water or ink. A six brush set sells for $8.99 on eBay.

Makeup Brushes

Makeup brushes can substitute for art brushes. They may not be exact, but may still create some interesting effects. Oval head brushes do not have an equivalent in the art world.

Precision Smudger = #2 Flat
Flat Eyeliner (long and short bristles) = #4 Flat
Angled Brow Brush = #4 Angled Brush
Round Eyeliner = #0 Round Brush
Lip Brush = #0 Filbert
Precision Eyeshadow Brush = #1 Filbert
Cream Eyeshadow = #12 Filbert
Smudge Brush = #14 Filbert
Concealer Brush = #16 Filbert
Foundation Brush = #24 Filbert
Angled Contour Brush = 3/8" Deerfoot
Pointed Contour Brush = Stipple Brush

Eyeshadow Crease Brush = Stipple Brush

Buffing Brushes = Stipple Brushes

Stipple Brushes = Round Rake Brushes
Elf Eyeshadow "C" Brush = 1/4" Scruffy
Elf Contour Brush = 1/2" Scruffy

Mascara Fan Brush = Detail Fan Brush
Fan Brush = 40mm Fan Brush
Highlighter Brush = #1 Round Mop
Precision Powder = 1/2" Round Mop
Elf Small Tapered Brush = 3/4" Oval Mop
Powder Brush = #16 Round Mop

Kabuki Brush = Round Mop
Flat Foundation Brush = Flat Mop
Flat Powder Brush = Flat Mop

Mascara Spoolie = Speckling Brush

Mascara Comb/Brow Brush = Speckling
Eyeshadow Sponge = Pan Pastel or Chalk Applicator 

This dual action side feed airbrush is perfect for under painting and spraying textured fixative or shellac final fixative. Get it on eBay for $22.43. Requires an air compressor.

This mini air compressor is available on eBay for $29.57.

Empty Markers

I love empty markers. They work with acrylic, watercolor, and ink. Molotow is a German company. A US brand is Montana Black, but their selection isn't as large. Art Primo is the best place to get Molotow markers and replacement nibs.

 

Pump Markers

Squeeze Pens

Aqua Twin

Replacement Nibs

20 gauge Fineline Precision Bottle

  

For applying paint as an outline. Sold as a pack of two for $8.95 at Blick Art. Henna applicator bottles with exchangeable tips in different sizes are on eBay for $2.33/16 piece set.

Disposable Eyeliner Brushes

I prefer these felt tip eyeliner brushes for making precise lines and cleaning up edges. Get them on eBay for $3.09/100.

Refillable Correction Fluid Pen

For applying ink in a very fine line. For $2.99 at Art Primo.

Dotting Tools & Blenders

I use dotting tools for tiny paint details, brushes for blending with solvent and the silicone pushers for hot blending. Get the set on Amazon for $11.99.

Kama Pigment sells these paint cup strips for $3.25/pkg of 16. Use them for travel or storing custom paint blends.

Other Supplies

Mixed Media Pad

Water (for watercolor)

Vegetable Glycerin, diluted 2:1 with water (for blending)
Pouring Medium (for linework)

Elmer's Washable Glue (prevents bleeding)

Liquitex Varnish (seals printer ink and dry media)

Golden Clear or Matte Digital Ground (for inkjet printing on fabric)

Inkjet Transparency Sheets

Paint Chips (free at any paint store)

Plastic

Mini measuring spoons (drop-tad)

Pipette

Mixing spatula

Mixing palette

Clamshells

4 oz cups

Foam brushes (1")

Foam Pouncers

Sea sponge

Freezer paper

Craft knife

Rubber stamps

Brayer

Styrofoam plate

Acrylic sheet, 1/4" thick (for printing)

Shapes, found or store bought

Sea Salt

Bowl of water with detergent

Bowl of acetone or rubbing alcohol

Bowl of clean water

Paper towel

Embroidery hoop

Iron-on Transfer Pencils or Pens

100% Cotton Fabric

I buy most of my art supplies online at Blick Art.

I get the clamshells (lemon pies), and mini measuring spoons at tkbtrading.com.

All other supplies may be obtained from Wal Mart, eBay or elsewhere. I'm sure most of you will have some of these items on hand. If not, don't sweat it. Try one technique at a time. If you don't like it, you can rest easy knowing you didn't spend a lot of money.