Pick Ok Studio

When art meets purpose, something beautiful happens.
Here’s the story and technique behind custom hand-painted garments.

The Story Behind the Design

Every piece of art begins with a spark—sometimes it’s inspiration striking in the moment, other times it’s rediscovering something precious you’d almost forgotten. My latest collection of hand-painted garments started with the latter: a simple sketch of a chestnut tree in bloom.

Five years ago, I captured a memory in pencil—a chestnut tree in full bloom that felt both quiet and bursting with life. The sketch lived in my collection until recently, when I rediscovered it and knew immediately: this needed to become something more than just a drawing tucked away.

The Art Behind the Process

What started as a rediscovered sketch became a labor of love on fabric. Using a white t-shirt that had been waiting for its moment, I carefully transferred my chestnut tree design from paper to textile using a proven technique that ensures both beauty and durability.

Materials That Make the Difference

Creating lasting wearable art requires the right foundation:

• Cotton-based garments (t-shirts, jackets, bags – any item with flat surfaces)
• Quality acrylic paints
• Textile medium
• The golden ratio: 1:1 paint to textile medium for washable, flexible results
• Proper tools: variety of brush sizes for different effects
• Heat-setting equipment: iron for permanent bonding

The Transfer and Painting Technique

Instead of painting freehand, I transfer my paper sketches to fabric for precision. This ensures the original vision translates perfectly to the textile canvas.

The painting process involves:

1. Design transfer from original sketch to fabric
2. Strategic color layering – starting with lights, building to darker tones
3. Detail work using various brush techniques for texture and depth
4. Quality control at each stage to ensure professional results

• The secret to washability: That crucial 1:1 ratio of acrylic paint to textile medium creates a bond that flexes with the fabric while maintaining vibrant color through multiple washes.

Heat-Setting for Permanence

Once the design is completely dry (2-3 hours depending on paint thickness), the heat-setting process makes everything permanent. Using an iron at the appropriate temperature for the fabric type – typically 2-4 minutes depending on the textile – bonds the paint permanently to the fibers.

• Care instructions: These pieces can be washed in warm water, turned inside out, and will maintain their beauty for years with proper care.

More Than Just Technique

This project didn’t stop at one piece. The chestnut tree theme bloomed across multiple garments, including leafy touches on trousers. Each piece is:

• Hand-painted and unique – no two are exactly alike
• Washable and durable – thanks to proper textile medium and heat-setting
• Eco-conscious – giving new life to existing garments
• Meaningful – carrying both personal memory and humanitarian purpose

Your Canvas Awaits

The beauty of hand-painted art is its versatility. While this collection started with t-shirts and trousers, the possibilities are endless. Any garment with cotton content and flat surfaces can become your personal canvas—jackets, dresses, bags, even home textiles.

Understanding the Process For those curious about the technique, the process involves careful preparation, strategic painting in layers, and proper finishing. The key is understanding how different materials work together – the paint, the fabric, the medium – to create something that’s both artistic and practical.

Custom Commissions Welcome Have a memory you’d like to see come to life? A design idea that’s been calling to you? I’m always open to new creative collaborations. Whether you want to transform an existing piece from your wardrobe or start fresh, we can work together to create something uniquely yours.

Art with Impact

Here’s what makes this collection even more special: every purchase contributes to something bigger. All profits from these hand-painted pieces go toward transportation and humanitarian aid for Ukraine.

When you wear one of these designs, you’re not just wearing art—you’re wearing hope, carrying a story, and supporting a cause that matters.

Investment in Wearable Art

Hand-painted pieces start from €50, reflecting the time, skill, and quality materials that go into each creation. When you consider the professional technique, permanent results, and humanitarian contribution, it’s an investment in both your wardrobe and your values.

The Beauty of One-of-a-Kind

In a world of mass production, there’s something profound about owning a piece that exists nowhere else. Each hand-painted garment carries the artist’s touch, the story of its creation, and the memory that sparked it all.

These aren’t just clothes—they’re wearable memories, conversation starters, and small acts of resistance against the ordinary. They’re proof that with the right technique and genuine care, fashion can be both personal and permanent.

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Ready to wear your own piece of wearable art? Each hand-painted garment is unique and made with purpose.

Get in touch:

• Email: oksosotnikova@gmail.com
• Instagram: @ya_tak_tse_bachu
• Blog: pickokstudio.wordpress.com

Contact me to discuss custom designs, commission a personal piece, or learn more about the technique behind wearable art.