Book Review: Visual Texture on Fabric
Visual Texture on Fabric
Create stunning art cloth with water-based resists
by Lisa Kerpoe
Are you tired of using the same fabrics over and again? Why not create your own? If you want to put writing on your fabric or just create a very special one-of-a-kind cloth – resists and dyes could be what you are looking for.
Lisa Kerpoe has done a lot of surface design and she has written an in-depth book in which she put all her acquired knowledge, all the tips and tricks she uses and the beautiful results of her efforts. The book makes you want to go to your kitchen, grab some flour or sugar and start immediately on this creative journey.
A resist is substance that blocks the penetration of dye. And most of the ones used by Lisa Kerpoe can be found in your kitchen: flour, oatmeal, sugar, potato or corn dextrin to name a few. How you apply the resist defines the outcome of your fabric. Stamps, stencils, squeeze bottles, brayers and brushes are used to produce sgraffitos, crackles, writings or just fascinating textures.
In the next step color is applied. Lisa Kerpoe shows different techniques from painting to dyeing, explaining the differences, the pros and cons.
Afterwards the resist is washed out and you can marvel at your finished fabric. Except you want to play some more and try your hand on layers. Another layer of resist, another layer of color, or both of them – there is no limit to this technique. And Lisa Kerpoe shows some beautiful examples of layering that surely will make you want to try (especially after having seen the fabric pieces in the gallery section of the book).
This book has an abundance of ideas to create stunning art cloth with non-toxic supplies, great for beginners and advanced. The whole process is a kind of play and a lot of fun. And Lisa Kerpoe has one last great advice for you: Leave behind any expectations and approach these techniques with a sense of play. Many variables affect the end result, and it may not be what you envisioned. Don’t get frustrated—enjoy the serendipity!
Visual Texture on Fabric by Lisa Kerpoe
ISBN 978-1-60705-447-4
Softcover or e-book