Happy Independence Day, comrades :) Hope you are having a fabulous weekend. Mine is going fine so far. I am finally experiencing a cautious return of art-making mojo, which I welcome with open arms. Making art makes me happy.
I haven't done a Virtual Paintout since last January, so this is extra special!
Tallinn. 15x22" Watercolor and walnut ink on hot press paper. Click on the image to buy.
The process in this one is a bit backward: I started with a loose watercolor wash...
...and only after it was dry, added the drawing in walnut ink.
In case you are wondering, there was no pencil drawing. True, it's a risky business jumping straight into ink but it also has some advantages:
- it keeps you a little looser, which makes your lines more fun
Ummm....that's all I can come up with :) My head is running slower than usual right now, what with fireworks well into the night, kids awake on and off, and me finally getting up at 6 am. I don't think I've had a reliable night of sleep since I was pregnant with kid #1. That makes it six years!
I received several questions about this painting, after posting it on my social media (are we connected? Check the icons under my beautiful face on the top right if you're reading this on my website). I will answer what I remember here.
1. Why walnut ink?
I like it for several reasons. The color is one, it looks less harsh than black India ink. I also really like the consistency and flow - it is very...liquid. What I mean is it seems like this ink will not clog the tiniest of the nibs. It's like colored water. And it's not waterproof when dry, it is very responsive to water. This can be a negative but I find it fun. Compare the figures in the image above with the finished painting. All it took is a bit of water-splashing.
2. Where can I get some?
Tom Norton Walnut Ink
Check your art store. I bought my first bottle from Daniel Smith (online) and the one I use now (Tom Norton), at a Utrecht (now Blick) here in Sacramento.
3. What is that thing you used to apply ink?
That thing is a bamboo quill (aka reed pen). It produces a somewhat uneven line and I do have less control but I'm okay with it :) . I picked mine up, on a whim, at the Utrecht store. Yasutomo makes a variety of sizes and there are endless other options, including making one yourself! I'm considering investing in a couple of these >
