INSPIRATION AND CREATIVE THOUGHT USING WATERCOLORS AND INK - part 1
The magic of creative thought and trying new things
 Duncan Park fountain, Spokane WA |  Duncan garden flowers , Spokane WA |
It all started with a day in the park, a couple of year's ago, I introduced a student, of mine, to the pleasure of painting "en plain aire". We were at the Duncan Gardens, part of the Manito park system of Spokane in Washington. A particularly interesting park, filled with a variety of views to be inspired in.
Inspiration at work.
It was a sunny afternoon and the garden flowers were in full bloom. We set up our easels and began the process of studying the colorful site before us. I took several photos for future painting references. Needless to say, it was an enjoyable afternoon!
For me, this afternoon was the moment that began a series of imaginative exercises with creative thought, ink and paint. Please read on to learn how to have fun using watercolors, ink and acrylics creating two uniquely different paintings inspired by the same day, the same time and the same inspiration!
" What happens if we use our imagination? Happiness!"
Many month’s later, I was looking for painting ideas that would work for a new thought I had for using a mix of ink and water media. My creative experiment was to see how I could integrate two very different methods of painting with my photograph.
My inspiration was my student painting,from six months ago, at the Duncan gardens, which is part of the Manito park system in Spokane Washington. Duncan gardens was designed by John W. Duncan and begun in 1912. It comprises 3 acres of inspiration for an artist like myself!
I have created many paintings inspired by my walks around these incredibly beautiful grounds. Here is a transparent watercolor that I created, also. This painting is available for sale from my web site art shop.
My inspiration was my student painting,from six months ago, at the Duncan gardens, which is part of the Manito park system in Spokane Washington. Duncan gardens was designed by John W. Duncan and begun in 1912. It comprises 3 acres of inspiration for an artist like myself!
I have created many paintings inspired by my walks around these incredibly beautiful grounds. Here is a transparent watercolor that I created, also. This painting is available for sale from my web site art shop.
"Manito Rose Garden" 11 x 14 watercolor
But, for the purpose of creating a visual story about being inspired, I wanted to paint something different. I wanted to explore one of my favorite concepts " What if I...?"
Which is an opportunity for any artist to test drive anything new and different!
Which is an opportunity for any artist to test drive anything new and different!
Enter Suminagashi......!
Sumingashi technique of marbling paper. The technique that I wanted to experiment with is a type of Japanese marbling that originated
as early as the 12th century. The first forms of
Japanese marbling were called Suminagashi, or
“ink floating”. This is a fascinating process that
creates delicate, swirled patterns on paper
when colors of ink are floated on the surface of the water.
as early as the 12th century. The first forms of
Japanese marbling were called Suminagashi, or
“ink floating”. This is a fascinating process that
creates delicate, swirled patterns on paper
when colors of ink are floated on the surface of the water.
Suminagashi has proven to be such a fun activity, it has started me down a new path of creative thought and fearless experimentation!
“What if I or in this case.. we….?” "Try something new" is a philosophy , I frequently use with my students.
“What if I or in this case.. we….?” "Try something new" is a philosophy , I frequently use with my students.
Ask yourself, one day
"What if I ..." and then test drive your new idea and see what happens!
My new idea was to combine this style of Japanese marbling with the pouring process of watercolors and acrylics that I traditionally use.
My new idea was to combine this style of Japanese marbling with the pouring process of watercolors and acrylics that I traditionally use.
Experimentation is the root of my style of "Fearless" painting! I like to jump into a puddle of paint, like I were a 6 years old making mud pies.
Join me, and Let's start playing!
Sumi ink, sticks to drop ink, water filled basin
Suminagashi is a simple process.
Fill a large container with @3" clean water and than using any kind of applicator dip the stick into the ink and than fling ink droplets onto the surface of the water.
A clean stick can be used to push the water into the forming ink shapes. Blowing through a straw will further move the ink around the vat, continuously changing the ink shapes.
When the ink has floated into an appeasing pattern, gently lay a piece of water color paper onto the surface of the ink, tap the back side a little and then let the paper soak in the ink and water "bath" for a moment. Carefully , lifting the paper out of the water, I am always amazed at the unique patterns created on my paper!
But, the question for my experiment was how to find a way that I could integrate this fun time of playing with ink and turn the abstract shapes into a painting that tells a story!
Fill a large container with @3" clean water and than using any kind of applicator dip the stick into the ink and than fling ink droplets onto the surface of the water.
A clean stick can be used to push the water into the forming ink shapes. Blowing through a straw will further move the ink around the vat, continuously changing the ink shapes.
When the ink has floated into an appeasing pattern, gently lay a piece of water color paper onto the surface of the ink, tap the back side a little and then let the paper soak in the ink and water "bath" for a moment. Carefully , lifting the paper out of the water, I am always amazed at the unique patterns created on my paper!
But, the question for my experiment was how to find a way that I could integrate this fun time of playing with ink and turn the abstract shapes into a painting that tells a story!
Planning stage
For this experiment, I actually have created two uniquely different compositions to play with. The drawing shown with this post is 13 x 17 and is horizontal. My second painting is where I take what I have learned from the process of painting this painting and use my imagaination to create a new story!
Step 1: In my first experiment I drafted my image of artist on my 140lb CP watercolor paper. I placed wooden letters over my drawing and than traced these shapes to integrate text into my imagery.
Step 2: I dipped my drawing into a vat of marbleized sumi ink patterns and then let it dry.
Step 3: I used a product known as "Friskit" which is a removeable resist . By applying friskit onto those areas where I want to keep my paper white, I am able to control the colorful madness that occurs with pouring cups of transparent, diluted watercolors.
Step 1: In my first experiment I drafted my image of artist on my 140lb CP watercolor paper. I placed wooden letters over my drawing and than traced these shapes to integrate text into my imagery.
Step 2: I dipped my drawing into a vat of marbleized sumi ink patterns and then let it dry.
Step 3: I used a product known as "Friskit" which is a removeable resist . By applying friskit onto those areas where I want to keep my paper white, I am able to control the colorful madness that occurs with pouring cups of transparent, diluted watercolors.
The artist mixing watercolors to pour
Step 4: I mix my watercolors in large bottles. Filling each bottle with water, I then squeeze a half a tube of paint into the bottles and mix vigorously.
I begin by pouring my yellows, then reds and finally liquid blue paints.
I begin by pouring my yellows, then reds and finally liquid blue paints.
1st pour of wc paint over suminagashi
It is exciting to see how different techniques can combine into a wonderful new look. Have you tried pouring your paints?
If you look closely, you can see both the marbled ink patterns, the light areas where the friskit blocked the pours from sinking into the paper. There is also a beautiful arrangement of primary and secondary hues floating over the sumi ink.
If you look closely, you can see both the marbled ink patterns, the light areas where the friskit blocked the pours from sinking into the paper. There is also a beautiful arrangement of primary and secondary hues floating over the sumi ink.
As is the case with all watercolor paintings, the next step involves building my range of darks. I used my brushes and fresh paint from my palette to tie together shapes, bring out my artist and create an interesting abstract back ground.
Painting with a mix of water- media
I deepened my values and created saturated hues by alternating using watercolors and fluid acrylics. I used new gamboge, anthraquinoid red, permanent alizarin crimson, titanium white ( fluid acrylics) and pthalo blue ( green ) as my color palette for this painting.
"Inspired" by Elise Beattie
Here is the finished painting of my first test drive of using a mix of ink, watercolors and acrylics together in one painting. This painting is available for purchase either unframed for $500.00 or a 20 x 24 black metal frame with rag mat and plexi glass can be purchased separately from my Beattie Artworks Shop.
I had fun playing with all of the different steps and ingredients. This experiment of asking "What if I...." try something new was a success! How about you, my friends, are you ready to play with your tools and mediums? Lets' all try something different and see what happens!
Did you think that I was done test driving new ideas? Oh No, not this Fearless artist! Is there more that I can explore with these techniques? I believe the answer is "Yes"!
Join me and lets learn more about playing with a mix of water media and creating another uniquely different painting, but inspired by the same photo inspiration!
I had fun playing with all of the different steps and ingredients. This experiment of asking "What if I...." try something new was a success! How about you, my friends, are you ready to play with your tools and mediums? Lets' all try something different and see what happens!
Did you think that I was done test driving new ideas? Oh No, not this Fearless artist! Is there more that I can explore with these techniques? I believe the answer is "Yes"!
Join me and lets learn more about playing with a mix of water media and creating another uniquely different painting, but inspired by the same photo inspiration!
I invite you to click here to read the next chapter about trying new things in Part Two of "Inspiration and creative thought with watercolors and Sumi ink"-post.
Are you interested in learning more about painting fearlessly with watercolors or acrylics? Please visit my art classes page, where you can register for my Fearless Painting classes? Here is a link to my in-person and online art programs for painting with watercolors or acrylics sponsored by Spokane , Whatcom Community Colleges and Spokane Art Supply.
I also teach private online programs for those interested in a more personal approach to learning how to paint.
If you are looking for a creative gift to give, how about a gift certificate from Beattie Artworks?
https://www.beattieartworks.com/art-classes.
Are you interested in learning more about painting fearlessly with watercolors or acrylics? Please visit my art classes page, where you can register for my Fearless Painting classes? Here is a link to my in-person and online art programs for painting with watercolors or acrylics sponsored by Spokane , Whatcom Community Colleges and Spokane Art Supply.
I also teach private online programs for those interested in a more personal approach to learning how to paint.
If you are looking for a creative gift to give, how about a gift certificate from Beattie Artworks?
https://www.beattieartworks.com/art-classes.
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