Kaufman batiks I bought have wonderful smooth fabric to start from so I would buy them if they maintain the fabric quality.
I don't like rough-looking tie-dye smeary blotchy look - there needs to be a consistency in the color variation over say 6 sq. in. so that one cut piece isn't radically different from the next and they blend.
And I don't much like the multi-color look - I've bought some fabric which matched my color scheme and got it home and now I think it looks like a slightly blurry salad. Good thing it is on the back of my placemats LOL
I've tried to use neutrals in batiks but they all just look dirty to me.