Index: Pysankarstvo

Pysankarstvo

Natalya creates a pysanka at UCARE camp in Nikita, Crimea

6. Pysankarstvo (the art of pysanka-making)

Making Pysanky: The Basics

You can read about the basics here. It is probably the best place for beginners to start.

Supplies (what you need to get started...and then some)

Basic instructions (which have gotten a bit too detailed) are now split into two pages

Page 1

Page 2

Step-by-step photos of the making of a pysanka with explanations

“Green” Pysanky, or how to decrease your impact on the environment

Downloads

I used to have all of my downloads on one page, but there are just so many that it became untenable. I’ve moved them to their own section, with a series of themed pages. There are handouts, pattern sheets and informational pamphlets:

General information about pysanky

Children’s hand-outs

Ukrainian-language materials

Pattern sheets

Traditional Pysanka pattern sheets

Chemistry

I was thinking of calling this the “Science of Pysankarstvo” section, but, looking over the material, realized that it really is mostly chemistry. This section is still a work in progress, only “Aniline Dyes” has been written and uploaded.

This section is still in progress, but a few page have been written. I have an annotated list of basic supplies, as well a list of “additional” supplies that are useful in the making of pysanky (aka “luxuries”). I will eventually add pages about those pysanka supplies and equipment that could use more elaboration, such as styluses, dyes and eggs, and discuss the equipment needed for drop-pull pysanky.

GENERAL

Basic Supplies

Additional Supplies

SPECIFIC

EGGS

STYLUSES

Anatomy of a Stylus

The Parts of a Stylus

The Reservoir and Tip (Non-electric)

The Reservoir and Tip (Electric)

Other Styluses

BEESWAX

Types of Dyes

Crepe Paper Dyes

History and Chemistry

Commercially Available Dyes

Surma Dyes

UGS Dyes

EggCessories Dyes

Pysanky Showcase Dyes

Dharma Silk Dyes

Ukrainian Wool Dyes

Working With Dyes

Preparing Dyes

Storing Dyes

Containers for Dyes

This is a large section, and is basically “Advanced Pysankarstvo.” I have taken the step-by step instructions from “The Basic Steps” and expanded them, expounding at length on the minutiae of the process. I not only discuss the way that I make pysanky, but add information that has been passed on to me by other pysanka makers. It is advanced not in the sense of being difficult, but more detailed.

There are seven subsections with lots of pages; many of those are still under construction. Links exist because it is easier to create them all at once than to add them later.

Selecting and Preparing Eggs

Handling Eggs

Selecting a Design

Fire Safety

Applying the Design in Pencil

Choosing and Using Pencils

Choosing and Using Erasers

Finding the Top and Bottom of an Egg

Drawing Simple Divisions

Using a Craft Lathe

Using Templates

Using a Measuring Tape

Removing Pencil Lines

Applying the Design in Wax

Before Applying the Wax

Selecting a Stylus

Using a Traditional Stylus

Using an Electric Stylus

Clearing a Clogged Tip

Tips and Techniques of Wax Application

Brown Egg Pysanky

Dye and Color Sequences

Finishing Up a Pysanka

Draining and Drying Out

Preserving

Troubleshooting and Repairs

Common Problems

Repairing a Cracked Egg

Touching Up

Storing and Displaying Pysanky

How to Store Pysanky

How to Display Pysanky

Designing and Writing Pysanky

This is a newer section about how to design pysanky, i.e. how to actually create the divisions and motifs found on traditional and diasporan pysanky. It is divided into two main areas: standard divisions (and how to draw them) and motifs (and how to draw them).

Traditional Pysanka Divisions

The Standard Divisions

An Atlas of Pysanka Divisions