Have you ever laid eyes on a blank sheet of watercolor paper, hoping for the best, only to be disappointed when you ended up with muddy blobs instead of the desired effect? Okay, we’ll admit it: watercolors aren’t easy. They are let loose. Colors spill out in every direction they choose, leading to accidental beauty but more often than not mayhem. Forget about using your old brushes and dive headfirst into the beautiful chaos of ink painting, continue here to see our newest updates!
Think of a single dark line. Angry, direct, and unrepentant. Nothing just guts spilling out across the page, no wavy gradients whatsoever. Confidence is what you get when you paint with ink. Every stroke becomes a declaration of intent when taking this class. Faux pas? Oh, those are charming, too. With a deft flick of the wrist, you can create something as stunningly beautiful as lightning in a bottle.
Do you remember drawings and nervously outlining them as your teacher passed around the classroom when you were in elementary school? Now, let go of all that anxiety. You will be encouraged to let go of the need for perfection in this course. The bristles break and occasionally spatter. Instead of freaking out, you just smile and carry on. The gore actually made it more dramatic. Who would have thought?
“I thought this would feel stiff,” one student joked during a Zoom lesson. Absolutely not! “It’s visual jazz.” Jazz, indeed. Pieces never repeat each other, whether it’s a rapid movement, a gradual detail, or a daring flourish. I am captivated by the liberation. To compare ink to a summer thunderstorm, think of watercolors as soft waves.
Tools? A set of expensive paints is unnecessary. In this place, all you need is some durable paper, an ink bottle, and a couple of brushes. Truly, the lack of complexity is invigorating. For art lovers, it means financial independence.
The course material is not overly theoretical. A casual coffee conversation characterizes each class. Let the ink run if that works. The instructor says, “Just see what happens,” and so you do. Out of nowhere, control is deemed unnecessary. Observing the ink flow is similar to watching dominoes fall—surprising, entertaining, and perhaps even addictive.
You might have assumed that calligraphers and comic book artists were the only ones who used ink. Everyone, though, is welcome to grab a paintbrush and create something beautiful here. No middlemen. Misfortune, a spilt cup of coffee, or an unusual pattern on your cat can all serve as sources of inspiration. I don’t care either way.
This course removes obstacles to creativity. Have no idea what to make? For example, “Draw fury in three lines” or “Paint the sound of rain.” These free-form questions will make you think of things you didn’t even know were on your mind.
Ink painting is supposedly an honest medium. Ink is like a yell in comparison to watercolors, which are more like murmurs. Every choice is strong. You can’t erase or hide it. Just turn up, make something, and study.
Put your worn-out palette in the trash. Gather your ink. Your perspective on art and, perhaps, on yourself, will shift dramatically.