8 essential steps to creating a Vietnamese silk painting
Traditional Vietnamese silk painting is one of the country’s most refined art forms, known for its softness, transparency, and poetic expression. Unlike oil or lacquer painting, silk painting requires patience, subtlety, and an intimate connection with the materials. Whether you’re an art lover or a curious traveler, understanding how these artworks are made can deepen your appreciation of Vietnamese culture.
Here are the 8 essential steps to creating a Vietnamese silk painting—just as it’s done in artisan villages.
1. Choosing the Right Silk
The first step is selecting the appropriate silk. Artists often use locally woven silk, which comes in various textures such as fine silk, coarse silk, or open-weave silk. The choice depends on the artist’s preference and the type of image they want to create. Each type of silk responds differently to water and pigment, influencing the final look of the artwork.
2. Stretching the Silk onto a Frame
Once selected, the silk must be carefully stretched onto a wooden frame. This is a delicate process called “bắn lụa,” done entirely by hand. The fabric is pulled taut to ensure that its fibers are straight and tension is evenly distributed—avoiding any sagging, warping, or distortion during the painting process.
3. Creating the Initial Sketch
Before painting on silk, the artist prepares a detailed sketch using either watercolor or traditional pigment powders. This sketch is usually done on paper and must match the size of the silk frame, though it’s often made about 5 cm smaller on each side to leave a clean edge.
4. Transferring the Sketch to the Silk
The sketch is placed behind the silk and aligned with the frame. Using a soft HB pencil, the artist traces the main outlines onto the silk through its semi-transparent surface. These pencil lines serve as a faint guide, allowing the artist to begin painting with accuracy.
5. Applying Watercolor in Thin Layers
Vietnamese silk paintings are known for their layered softness. Artists apply watercolor paints in very thin washes, layer by layer. This requires precision and a light touch. Unlike canvas, silk absorbs pigment quickly, making it difficult to correct mistakes. The goal is to maintain the luminosity of the silk while building depth and contrast gradually.
6. Watching for Mistakes and Color Bleeding
Throughout the painting process, the artist must watch for color residue, blotches, or bleeding—especially where water and pigment interact. Too much water can cause uneven stains or unintentional color spreading. These errors must be carefully corrected or disguised with subsequent layers.
7. Washing the Silk
Once the painting is complete and dry, the silk is gently washed with a stiff brush. This step removes any excess pigment and fixes the color into the fabric. It also helps eliminate pencil marks and stabilizes the image for mounting.
8. Mounting with Traditional Dó Paper
The final step is to back the silk with Dó paper—a traditional Vietnamese handmade paper made from the bark of the dó tree. This not only adds structure and durability but also enhances the silk’s natural translucency and color vibrancy. The combination of silk and dó paper is a hallmark of authentic Vietnamese silk painting.
A Living Tradition
Though modern techniques and materials are now available, many artists in Vietnam continue to follow these traditional methods—especially in craft villages like Ha Thai or Van Phuc, where the art has been passed down through generations.
By understanding these eight steps, viewers and collectors can better appreciate the craftsmanship, cultural significance, and meditative patience required to produce each piece of Vietnamese silk art.