In the meantime, the enthusiastic participants of the first edition of the Masterclass "Silk painting and hat making" have made many beautiful hats from hand-painted silk with wool.
See the results and enthusiastic stories at the bottom of this page.
It is fantastic how they first mastered the technique of silk painting and felting various models of hats. And then added their own style to the hats.
At the request of many, Zsófia and I have decided to start a second Masterclass "Silk painting and hat making" in November .
Modules "Experimental Silk Painting" basic and advanced
In the 2nd edition of this workshop "Silk Painting and Hat Making", I will start again with the modules "Experimental Silk Painting" basic and "Experimental Silk Painting" advanced.
During the first module, you will learn the surprising silk painting techniques.
You will learn the effect of working with different transparent layers, letting it flow, but also stopping the paint. You will learn how to work with brushes, stencils, stamps, and other tools. But above all, you will learn to intuitively fill the white silk with color and shape.
In the follow-up module, we will focus on silk painting for nuno felting and specifically on silk painting for hats.
These are live modules. We work together as if we were in the same classroom. The sessions are recorded so that you can watch them again later at your leisure.
What do you need for silk painting?
For silk painting, you need a frame to stretch the silk. A simple frame can be made from 4 slats, screws, and nuts or you can buy a simple wooden picture frame. The main materials you need are 4 colours of special silk paint, silk fabric, brushes, pins, sponges, ....
You will receive a list (and a video) of the materials you need and where to buy them well in advance. And also a video on how to stretch the silk. You will have access to a video about a simple method to steam your painted silk at home. We use Ponge/Habotai 5 silk. This type of silk gives a beautiful result for silk painting and dries very quickly. And because it is very thin, it is very suitable for nuno-felting (a combination from silk felted with wool).
Making hats with Zsófia
Zsófia Marx, renowned for her enchanting 3-D felting techniques, will teach you how to craft sophisticated and elegant felted hats. She’ll guide you in incorporating the handpainted silk into your felt, preserving its delicate beauty while ensuring the felt is firm enough for stunning sculptural hats.
See examples below.
Coaching and accessibility
We are both available for questions and there are various live coaching Zoom meetings, where you can ask us your questions.
You have 5 months of access to all teaching materials and unlimited access to our private Facebook group.
Through the private Facebook group, participants show their successful and less successful results, from which others can learn.
Participation
You do not need any experience to participate.
Due to the international character, the online workshops are given in English.
Yes, I want to learn more about the next masterclass:
"The Art Of Silk Painting And Hat Making".
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The creative process of Ellen Bakker's painted silk in combination with Zsofia Marx's felt hats in pictures
On YouTube you can watch a video of how Zsófia and I have brought together our techniques and passions for wool, silk and hats.
Student Work
These beautiful hats were made by students.
This is what students wrote about this Masterclass:
I’ve learned so much about silk painting and hat making in the course. The many techniques and skills will be useful in any wet-felting, silk painting or nuno felting I do in the future. The combination of written material, videos and live sessions was very effective. The written material, posted as downloadable pdfs, included photos and drawings to make it clear and complete.
The course included a variety of hats. Their presentation was sequenced and paced well. There was time to make more than one of each hat design to really cement our learning.
Ellen and Zsófia are very knowledgeable and generous teachers. They are helpful, always approachable and responsive.
The fact that I love painting silk and making hats is a reflection of the quality of the course and Zsofia and Ellen’s teaching. Their passion is inspirational.
Anne
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I’m loving this class. It has been fun, challenging and ignited a whole new level of passion in me. I've learned so much more than I had hoped for about silk painting and hat making. The two of you (Ellen and Zsofia) make a powerful partnership. Your willingness to share your knowledge and skills is very uncommon and special. If you are a beginner or experienced at making hats or painting silk there is a lot to be learned from this course.
Nancy
Full Feltmakers Designs.
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I have learned a lot from Zsófia about shaping the hats using the different ways of fulling.
Ellen’s Zoom class on painting silk was very informative, and working along as she explained
the different techniques was like being in the same room. Adding hand-painted silk
into the felt has made the hats unique and special, you are adding your own signature and style to the hats.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the online learning experience, by being able to work
in my own environment and also connecting to other students in the Facebook group.
Rhonda Rettke
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I’m currently taking Zsofia Marx and Ellen Bakker’s online course - ‘The art of silk painting and hat making.’
I decided to invest in this course for two reasons. Firstly, I have always wanted to try silk painting; and secondly, I have for long time admired Zsófia’s wonderful hats and wanted to do one of her hat courses. So, the chance to get both together seemed to good an opportunity to miss. I have not been disappointed! It has been an exciting journey so far with excellent instruction and content. I would recommend this course unreservedly.
Shelley FeltingCrazy
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