Aboriginal Art & Craft: How to Learn Bark Painting?

Bark painting is an Australian aboriginal art type which involves painting on the interior of a strip of tree bark. This is one of the most unique yet creative forms of painting that was used by indigenous people to showcase their artistic expression. You can still witness this art in Arnhem Land and other hidden regions of Australia, including Kimberley region of Western Australia. Bark is cut from the trunk of the Eucalyptus tree during the wet season to obtain the moisture content- which is crucial for painting.  The outer bark is stripped off while the thinned inner bark is flattened and dried by placing it onto a fire to reduce moisture. These sticks are used for crafting and creating a canvas. The best part is that indigenous people used to create different pigments with iron oxides, manganese oxide, kaolin or chalk, charcoal, etc. These are ground on stones and the powder is mixed with water. Traditionally, beeswax, plant gums and orchid juice were used as a binding material. However, now you can easily find pigments for barking painting in Australia. Here is a complete guide to help you learn bark painting to discover the aboriginal art culture:  

1. Join Reliable Workshops and Classes

Are you keen to learn the most preserved indigenous bark painting? It is good to search for reliable and authentic workshops where you can actually unveil the traditional methods to learn this craft. There are many Indigenous artists in Australia who have years of experience and successfully running authentic workshops for youth. They can teach the technical aspects while offering valuable insights to understand the culture and arm form better. So, do your research thoroughly and find reliable sources before getting into the craft. You can even attend indigenous art exhibitions to connect with like-minded people and find reliable places for craft development.

2. Understand The Cultural Value

Do you know the cultural significance behind bark painting? Many people don’t even know the essence behind indigenous art and their culture, that’s why unable to learn the actual form. Indigenous bark painting is not a mere art form. It is more than that. Traditionally, artists used  to create bark painting for captivating storytelling and preserving art. The designs and craft in bark painting have intense meaning that will take you closer to the aboriginal culture. So, soak your mind with this cultural significance and take your craft to the next level. It will add more worth and meaning to your artwork.

3. Stock Up on Traditional Bark Painting Materials

You will need traditional materials to learn this form of painting. It is created using pigments derived from the earth while the bark is of eucalyptus tree. To begin, stock up on these materials with the help of your trainer or experienced artist. You can also prepare these materials at home with the help of right skills. Many workshops teach the art of preparing natural pigments and barks for painting.

4. Keep Practicing to Polish Your Skills

Remember that bark painting of Australia requires specific techniques that have been running through generations. After preparing the bark canvas using the stripping and flattening methods, make sure you learn the application of pigments using traditional techniques. This includes the use of sticks and fine brushes for intricate designs. Make sure you keep practicing the art form to hone your craft and define the indigenous story in Australia like a professional painter.

Wrapping Up

Art and craft never gets outdated. You can learn the techniques of bark painting to discover the art culture of aboriginal community in Australia.