Page 136 - Lidya Chen "Complete Book of Chinese Knotting"

08 Creative Designs (130-147) 4/4/07 5:28 PM Page 133

Painting Chinese Knots

Traditionally, Chinese knots are made of soft materials although hard materials such
as wire are now being incorporated into ultra modern designs.Author Lydia Chen has
introduced the concept of combining Chinese knots with painting techniques in
order to achieve sculpture-like results. She coats her painted knots with shellac and
then buffs them to attain the combined elegance of knot and paint artistry.

PAINT ART ON CHINESE KNOTS
From archaeological records, it is known that painting using tree sap began as long ago as 5000 BCE.Paint
provides a long-lasting protective effect and beautifies a coated object.
There are various types of paint arts, but here it is sufficient to simply coat finished Chinese knots to stiff-
en and protect them, as well as to add a different dimension to the art of Chinese knotting.When coating
Chinese knots with paint, care must be taken with the following:
1. Cord material: It is better to paint thick cords rather than thin ones. Because of the bigger space created
This is a tight knot made from cord materi-
between adjoining cords when using thin cords, the paint tends to make the cords stick together. Loose
19 als with a pronounced grain. A thin coat of
cords, due to the uneven absorption of paints, tend to have a pocked appearance. Even in the case of tight
paint highlights the grain.
formations, it is importamt to minimize folding in order to avoid an uneven shine.
2. Paint thickness:The technique of applying paint to cords is similar to painting items made from bamboo TYING INSTRUCTIONS
and rattan.The artist’s objective will determine the thickness and number of coats to be applied. But be 1.Tie the seven ear loops, including both cord
aware that the appearance of the knot will change with every layer of coat applied. Generally, only a few ends, into a cloverleaf knot. Use the press two
coats are necessary. technique on the ear loops to knot the first layer
of a good luck knot.
3. Painting overlapping areas: Be extra careful with the paint thickness on overlapped areas. It is best to
2. On the back of the knot body, lengthen the
slightly separate the overlap to allow optimum absorption of the paint. If the amount of paint is inadequate,
small outer loops in a clockwise fashion, then use
the cords in the overlap will be glaringly exposed. If there is excessive paint, the accumulation of it on the
the press two technique on the ear loops to knot
overlap will make it look dull. Also, the artist should ensure every part of the knot is painted to avoid any
the second layer of the good luck knot.
bare cords when the finished work is viewed from different angles
3. Apply an appropriate number of coats of paint.
4. Buffing overlapping areas:Take special care when buffing overlaps. It is advisable to always separate each
overlap during the coating process. If, for whatever reason, this cannot be done, make sure the paint thick-
ness on the overlap is adjusted during the coating and buffing process.
Use different color paints to coat this work
20 and break the tradition of a single color knot
tied with a single color cord.
TYING INSTRUCTIONS
1.Tie a cotton cord into a 90-degree shiftweave pan
chang knot using the two up, two down type of over-
lapped outer loops.
2. Paint the knot with three different colors until the
grain is barely visible, then apply appropriate coats
of shellac.

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