Use Shiva paint sticks with a solvent to make canvas washes.
Paints sticks are versatile tools for applying oil paint onto many surfaces. Shiva paint sticks can be applied to cotton, silk, rayon, linen, wood, metal, ceramic, plastic and most hard, non-porous materials. Paint sticks are oil-based, with pigments and high-grade wax added for consistency and color. Because of their composition, Shiva paint sticks never dry out. To use them, wipe off the top layer of dried paint from the tip you are planning to use with a paper towel or rag.
Paint Sticks for Fine Art
Many artists use paint sticks like large crayons to draw directly on canvas. You can use paint sticks to draw images with thick, bold lines. Paint sticks, like normal oil paints, can be applied to the canvas and then thinned with solvent. If you're running low on oil paints, break off a piece of the Shiva stick and dissolve it in a bowl with a little solvent to make liquid oil paint.
Fabric Rubbing
Almost any raised surface can be used for fabric rubbings. Place your fabric over the object and rub the paint stick with a variety of pressures and movements over the fabric to transfer the texture of the object below. Shiva makes rubbing plates designed for this purpose. You can make your own rubbing plates by using squeeze-bottle fabric paint or acrylic paint to draw a design onto any flat surface. Let the paint dry for 24-48 hours and use the raised drawing as a rubbing plate.
Quilt Application
Quilts or individual quilt patches are excellent canvases for your Shiva paint sticks. The sticks can be applied directly or painted onto a brush first to give a smoky effect. Use tape to mark off areas or color sections to give crisp, straight edges to your work. Try moving the paint sticks in a back-and-forth motion to slightly tint the fabric. This effect works great on quilts to allow the recessed thread to show its original color.
Stencils
All types of thin stencils work well with Shiva paint sticks. You can make your own stencils by drawing a design out on a thin plastic sheet and cutting it out with a utility knife. Lay the stencils over the fabric you're using and apply the paint sticks directly into the stencil's negative space. To produce an imagine with a hazy look, or to get into the corners of more detailed stencils, try brushing a thick, circular brush over the paint stick and brush this into the stencil.
