Silk Hand Painted Kimono

Silk Hand Painting

Silk hand painting has thousands of years history in China. In ancient times, people were using black Chinese ink and colour materials to paint patterns on rice paper or on the surface of fans. Gradually, painting on silk fabric was introduced as a trend of fashion by wealthy people in the area of south of Yangtze River where the climate is most suitable for sericiculture. At that time, wearing hand painted silk clothes was a sign of wealth or aristocracy.

Specialized in silk hand painted design, Anthony Childs TM silk hand painting has been specially used on mulberry silk fabric. Mulberry silk worms are grown by sericiculturists at home, they are only fed with non-polluted mulberry leaves - the most preferred leaves for silk worms to produce the best quality silk, which is softer and has the finest silk lustre. One single silk thread from one cocoon is approximately a mile long, which gives the fabric more silk lustre and smoother surface. Mulberry silk is known as the 'Empress of Fibre'.

The hand painted colour is enhanced more vividly by the natural lustre of silk more than any other natural fabric, such as cotton or linen. The blend of colours on silk fabric is especially delicate, this is the most exclusive character of silk hand painting, making the pattern more vivid and look like real.

Because of the complexity of the colours and patterns, normally one silk hand painted kimono or lounge wear requires two artists to paint for 8 hours. After panting, high temperature steaming will be processed to fasten the colour. Then, a silk hand painted masterpiece is completed.

Sik Hand Painting - Drawing Outline (Step 1)


Sik Hand Painting - Individual Pattern Painting(Step 2)


Sik Hand Painting - Background Colour Painting(Step 3)