Pysanky eggs

A Pysanky is an egg that is intricately decorated in many unbelievably beautiful designs using Ukranian style. The art began in Ukraine hundreds of years ago, and has since become a major Easter tradition.

The process generally begins with poking a small hole in the top and bottom of a plain white egg, and using some form of suction or blowing through the holes to remove the yolk inside. Then the inside of the egg is cleaned with water, the result being a hollow egg. This is usually done to preserve the egg so that it will not rot after decoration, and is considered more convenient than boiling. As shown here:

(Here, the blowing occurs after dying)

After this, a kistka is used to apply wax on the egg. The kistka is traditionally used and is much tidier, but any tool that is convenient for the distribution of wax will technically work (crayons, an actual candle, ETC.). There are two common types of kistka: The manual funnel kistka (top two), and the electric kistka (bottom two).

Manual Funnel Kistka

Electric kistka

The wax is applied by stuffing wax (Preferably beeswax because it melts the easiest and drys the quickest) into the funnel, and heating the kistka; electronic kistkas are self heating, while manual kistkas require a candle for this purpose. The wax then comes out melted through the open point of the kistka, and drips into  a steady and usually even line if well heated.

            

The wax is applied because dye cannot penetrate wax, so it is used to preserve certain colours in patterns  between the dipping of each dye. For instance, to keep a white pattern before dipping the egg in yellow, one would use a kistka to draw the pattern on in wax. Then, after the egg is dyed yellow, these areas would remain white due to the wax. This would apply to all colours. However, there is an order that must be used when dying; lightest colours first to darkest colours last, the lightest and darkest colours obviously being white and black.

After the desired pattern and colouration is obtained, the wax must be removed. The wax must not be scraped from the egg, or else it will leave large portions of wax, and may discolour the dye. The proper way to remove the wax is to melt it off of the egg using a candle or lighter. This makes the mess minimal the leaves a nice sheen on the egg.

(image found on Incredible Art.org)

    Sometimes gloss is added to improve appearance and to keep the pattern safe as the final step.

                                           
                            Here are a few truly amazing pysanky eggs:

(http://www.bestpysanky.com/)

(http://www.bestpysanky.com/)

(http://www.bestpysanky.com/)

(http://www.bestpysanky.com/)

(http://www.bestpysanky.com/)

Ostrich Pysanky egg (http://www.bestpysanky.com/)

- Article written by me, based off of my vaguely succesful experience; images via Google images unless otherwise cited.