(Design by Thuong Embroidery)
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Silk Shading and Thread Painting: Definition and HistorySilk Shading and Thread Painting have a long, historical presence.
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Thread Painting: Definition |
Thread painting is an embroidery technique that uses selected stitches, including long and short stitch, which allows ‘natural shading’ to portray the natural form Each piece is embroidered with the same approach as an artist when oil painting, requiring the artisan to select color and stitching techniques to create a work of art with depth of color and dimensional perspective. This technique has evolved to include both Eastern and Western designs and can use threads of cotton, polyester, or synthetic silk.
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Silk Shading: Definition |
Similar to thread painting, silk shading uses silk as the painting medium. Silk is a protein which possesses a rod-like quality and therefore reflects instead of absorbing light. Using silk gives movement and realism to the embroidery. Changing the angle of the light source will alter the perceived color of the thread. Stitches are chosen based on the effect of the stitch on the artwork and includes linear, filling, and supplementary techniques.
The Royal School of Needlework (2024) defines natural silk shading as a technique that uses long-and-short stitch by "changing direction, angle, and colour much like the strokes of a brush to portray flora and fauna, animals, birds, people, and landscapes." Master stitchers typically use several needles 'in play' when working silk shading. Needles not in use rest at the top of the fabric ready to be employed when a stitch or two is required. |
History of Silk Shading: China
Based on historical and archeological research, silk shading was first practiced in China. One prominent category of Chinese embroidery that uses silk shading is Su Embroidery from the Jiangsu province in eastern China.
Yang Shouyu (1895-1981): trained artist and embroiderer
Created a new way of stitching: ‘random stitch’ embroidery (‘luan zhen xiu’ means ‘chaotic stitch embroidery’) which can be combined with traditional techniques. The use of the term 'random' does not reflect the highly structured use of this technique.
Shen Shou (1871-1921): lived during the late Qing Dynasty).
She began embroidering at age 7. As a teen, she presented eight pieces of original embroidery to the Empress Dowager Cixi. She later studied in Japan and was introduced to western art and oil painting. She combined her embroidery skills with western oil painting techniques ('fang zhen xiu‘ means 'imitation of reality embroidery’). In 1911, she presented a portrait of Italian Queen Elena to the Italian government. In 1915, she won first prize at the Panama Pacific International Exposition, USA for her embroidery: ‘Portrait of Christ’
Suzhou Embroidery Research Institute (SERI)
In the 1950’s, the Suzhou government set up an embroidery unit to research and teach embroidery: Suzhou Embroidery Research Institutes (SERI). Artists were required to complete years of study in art and embroidery.
Ren Hui Xian (1916-2003): stitched portraits of world leaders
Based on historical and archeological research, silk shading was first practiced in China. One prominent category of Chinese embroidery that uses silk shading is Su Embroidery from the Jiangsu province in eastern China.
Yang Shouyu (1895-1981): trained artist and embroiderer
Created a new way of stitching: ‘random stitch’ embroidery (‘luan zhen xiu’ means ‘chaotic stitch embroidery’) which can be combined with traditional techniques. The use of the term 'random' does not reflect the highly structured use of this technique.
Shen Shou (1871-1921): lived during the late Qing Dynasty).
She began embroidering at age 7. As a teen, she presented eight pieces of original embroidery to the Empress Dowager Cixi. She later studied in Japan and was introduced to western art and oil painting. She combined her embroidery skills with western oil painting techniques ('fang zhen xiu‘ means 'imitation of reality embroidery’). In 1911, she presented a portrait of Italian Queen Elena to the Italian government. In 1915, she won first prize at the Panama Pacific International Exposition, USA for her embroidery: ‘Portrait of Christ’
Suzhou Embroidery Research Institute (SERI)
In the 1950’s, the Suzhou government set up an embroidery unit to research and teach embroidery: Suzhou Embroidery Research Institutes (SERI). Artists were required to complete years of study in art and embroidery.
Ren Hui Xian (1916-2003): stitched portraits of world leaders
History of Silk Shading: England
In England, silk shading was first used during the Mediaeval period. The technique required a seven-year long apprenticeship by both men and women. At the time, silk shading was probably restricted to the wealthy and church work. By the 1300's, the technique was afforded by the nobility. Increased trade with the East India Company allowed silks to be more readily available during the 1700's.
Mary Linwood (1755-1845)
Mary Linwood used natural linen background and naturally-dyed woolen threads in a sympathetic, natural palette with rich autumnal tones. She worked in worsted embroidery, producing a collection of over 100 pictures specializing in full size copies of old masters. Her pieces had been exhibited in England, Ireland, and Russia. She had her own Gallery in _____
Sources:
Heidi Al Strobel: Mary Linwood | Celebrated Fiber Artist of 18th-century Britain
New biography: The Art of Mary Linwood: Embroidery, Installation, and Entrepreneurship in Brittain, 1787-1845 (published, 2024)
Project: Mary Linwood: Art, Stitch and Life exhibition at Leicester Museum, September 2025-January 2026
Ruth Singer: Mary Linwood and Me – Ruth Singer
Silk Shading and Thread Painting are currently taught at the Royal School of Needlework and from private tutors. A myriad of resources can also be found online.
In England, silk shading was first used during the Mediaeval period. The technique required a seven-year long apprenticeship by both men and women. At the time, silk shading was probably restricted to the wealthy and church work. By the 1300's, the technique was afforded by the nobility. Increased trade with the East India Company allowed silks to be more readily available during the 1700's.
Mary Linwood (1755-1845)
Mary Linwood used natural linen background and naturally-dyed woolen threads in a sympathetic, natural palette with rich autumnal tones. She worked in worsted embroidery, producing a collection of over 100 pictures specializing in full size copies of old masters. Her pieces had been exhibited in England, Ireland, and Russia. She had her own Gallery in _____
Sources:
Heidi Al Strobel: Mary Linwood | Celebrated Fiber Artist of 18th-century Britain
New biography: The Art of Mary Linwood: Embroidery, Installation, and Entrepreneurship in Brittain, 1787-1845 (published, 2024)
Project: Mary Linwood: Art, Stitch and Life exhibition at Leicester Museum, September 2025-January 2026
Ruth Singer: Mary Linwood and Me – Ruth Singer
Silk Shading and Thread Painting are currently taught at the Royal School of Needlework and from private tutors. A myriad of resources can also be found online.