You’ve heard the saying ‘less is more’ I’m sure. So have I, but it didn’t stop me getting over enthusiastic when creating this mixed media work. Ink on paper is so much fun. Even more so when I used some curvy rulers and markers. This is very different from my usual style. I’m sure I will have a few more play sessions with ink and other mediums to hone what I like.

Application of Ink

The biggest lesson I had from painting this work was related to delineation of space. I like the way each section of the work has ink applied differently to achieve different effects. The paper was rough textured, and I used Inktense blocks in the purple section at the very top. This section is more textured than the rest of the work.

I suspect this painting will go into my collection of work to be cut up for collage. The inspiration I take from it is related to blending of colours, and of defining sections using mixed media. The gold silver and metallic blue lines were created with Windsor and Newton Metallic Markers. The thin white marks were made with light application of a Posca pen. The brightly coloured inks I used were Daler Rowney FW Inks, which have a dropper attached to the lid.

Play and Learn

This painting is nothing to write home about. Through play, and experiment, I’ve learned what I want to do in a serious work. My advice to anyone wanting to be creative is to start by playing. Use paint or inks that call to you. Play with ways of applying the colour to the paper. Try different brushes, droppers, sponges, palette knives or any tool you are curious about to see how it works. Gather the results you love and use them for inspiration. There is no need to show anyone else your work unless you choose to. So, enjoy the creative process and learn while you play.

100 Days of Art

The 100 Days of Art series of posts is also about learning, for me. It is learning about my own process. As I choose a topic and begin writing, I think through what often just comes intuitively. It’s about keeping a record of what I do. Sometimes deadly serious, and sometimes playing or experimenting. With each insight, each inspiration, I hone my sense of what I want to paint in the future.

Artists rarely fall fully formed out of the sky. I certainly did not. The series of posts is also about the learning process. Trial and error. Successes and works to be cut up for other creations.

If you want to delve more into my process, and my artworks, browse through the other 69 posts here. I’ve separated out the posts into Abstract Art, Photography and Textiles. You can also filter the posts by topic. Simply click on the category beneath the heading at the top of the post.