How do you teach pysanky?

Pysanky are created using wax and dyes. Have you ever drawn on an egg with crayon then dipped it into dye? When you do that, the dye will not absorb into the shell beneath the crayon marks, so when you take the egg out of the dye, a pattern remains on the egg.

When making pysanky, the wax is applied with a kistka or pysachok (Ukrainian Words that refers to the tool used to heat and apply the wax). The egg is placed into several dye baths, after each of which more wax is applied. At the end of the process, the wax is melted off and the pattern is revealed. This is a wax resist technique, much like batik.

(For more detailed information about pysanky, explore the category "Pysanky Egg Art" on this web site. It is under Hobbies and Collectibles/Arts and Crafts.)

For a nice set of step-by-step photos, or more detailed instructions, check out the links below.

As with most handcrafts, hands on instruction is the best way to learn pysankarstvo (the art of writing pysanky). It really helps to have someone guide you through the process.

Many books have been published on the subject in recent years No one of them is perfect, and each has its strengths and weaknesses. This is a list of some useful ones (not in alphabetical order):

For traditional pysanky (traditions, history and photos):

ELYJIW, ZENON. 60 Score of Ukrainian Easter Eggs. Self published, Buffalo, NY. 1994. A book featuring 1200 traditional pysanky arranged by motif and division. This book is now out of print, but a valuable resource if you can find it.

MANKO, VIRA. The Ukrainian Folk Pysanka. L'viv, Ukraine: Svichado Press, 2005. This probably the best book in print on the subject of the folk (traditional) pysanka. It covers, in great depth and with great scholarship, the history, traditions, myths and symbolism of the pysanka. Pysanka making techniques are covered as well, albeit fairly briefly. In addition, there are color plates with 1460 different traditional pysanky from every corner of Ukraine. It is the book for anyone interested in true traditional pysanky.

TKACHUK, MARY AND MARIE KISHCHUK, ALICE NICHOLAICHUK. Pysanka: Icon of the Universe. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada: Ukrainian Museum, 1977. This short little booklet full of information about pysanka history, folklore, and symbolism. The ethnographical and historical information within is priceless. Pysanka making instructions are minimal, but there are some good hints and tips here.

For techniques:

LUCIOW, JOHANNA AND ANNE KMIT AND LORETTA LUCIOW. Eggs Beautiful: How to Make Ukrainian Easter Eggs. Minneapolis, MN: Gopher State Litho, 1975. This early UGS book presents a very basic explanation of the culture, history, and techniques of pysankarstvo along with eighteen step-by-step designs in black and white.

KMIT, ANNE AND , LORETTA LUCIOW, JANET LUCIOW, AND LUBA PERCHYSHYN. Ukrainian Easter Eggs: And How We Make Them. Minneapolis, MN: Ukrainian Gift Shop, 1979. If you only buy one of the UGS series, this is the one to get. It begins with the culture and history of pysanky, along with an Excellent explanation of the symbolism and techniques, before presenting twenty-seven eggs in simple, clear, black and white illustrations. Unfortunately, it is currently out of print.

PERCHYSHYN, NATALIE. A Kid's Guide to Decorating Ukrainian Easter Eggs. Minneapolis, MN: Gopher State Litho, 2000. With bold colors and a spiral binding (making it easier to lie flat), this book seems simple, but nonetheless presents the entire pysanka writing process along with many tips and tricks.

Art pysanky/coffee table books:

BADULAK, HELEN. Pysanky in the 21st Century. Kutztown, PA: The Kutztown Publishing Company, Inc., 2004. This books discusses pysanka writing techniques, and has many color photos of the author's own pysanky. NOTE: The Helen Badulak book is lovely, but it is not for beginners. If you are just starting out, either the Kids' Guide or the Eggs Beautiful book are best.

POLLAK, JANE. Decorating Eggs: Exquisite Designs with Wax and Dye. New York, NY: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc., 1998. Jane Pollak became famous for her magnificent quilt-pattern eggs, which sold for a fortune at exclusive Manhattan are galleries before she turned her attention to inspirational speaking. The book has photographs of modern pysanky from artists all around the world, and includes descriptions of technique as well.