INSPIRATION AND CREATIVE THOUGHT USING WATERCOLORS AND INK - PART 2
What is "creative thought"? The answer is, it is an opportunity to mix inspiration with imagination!
It is now time to have more fun using a mix of watercolors, ink and acrylic paints. My goal is to create a uniquely different painting influenced by the same day and the same inspiration as in my original painting : "Inspired" !
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| "INSPIRED" © Elise Beattie 2024 |
In my first blog post about using Sumi ink in a creative experiment. I asked myself my favorite question : "What if I...?" In Part 2 of this series, I will show you how you can use one inspirational view and create many uniquely, different visual interpretations!
Previously, my experiment was to explore what would happen if I used Sumi ink and poured liquid watercolor paints and then painted with fluid acrylics on top. My creative idea was to create unique patterns and textures with paint. Mind you, when I paint, I play! So let's have some fun and explore a new "what if I...?" suminagashi experiment!
In my first experiment , I used a method of pattern making using Sumi ink in a process that is called Suminagashi, a process that creates delicate, swirled patterns on paper when ink is floated on the surface of the water. For the purpose of my "test drive" I am using Yatsutomo liquid Sumi ink, available from most major art material purveyors.
Japanese Masa paper with Sumi ink marbling patterns.
Learning from my first experiment!
In my first test drive, I used suminagashi over my entire 140lb cold pressed watercolor paper. I achieved creating interesting patterns, but I found that after pouring my liquid watercolors over the Sumi ink that I had lost the beauty of the abstract marbling.
I realized with this first experiment, that these new techniques required more experimentation! On to Plan B, more play and a new thought about how to approach this composition! This time, my goal is to allow the sumi patterns to shine independantly of the poured watercolors.
In my first test drive, I used suminagashi over my entire 140lb cold pressed watercolor paper. I achieved creating interesting patterns, but I found that after pouring my liquid watercolors over the Sumi ink that I had lost the beauty of the abstract marbling.
I realized with this first experiment, that these new techniques required more experimentation! On to Plan B, more play and a new thought about how to approach this composition! This time, my goal is to allow the sumi patterns to shine independantly of the poured watercolors.
My first painting with suminagashi and poured wc
Question 1 : How do I create something different when using the same inspiration, methods and materials in a previous painting session?
Answer: Why not create a different compositional layout?
Where my first painting was a horizontal painting for my next great idea, I chose a vertical composition and added additional imaginary-"photo" elements about what my student was seeing as she painted at the Duncan Gardens of Manito Park. In this new painting, I wanted to tell a story of one person's exploration and creativity.
Answer: Why not create a different compositional layout?
Where my first painting was a horizontal painting for my next great idea, I chose a vertical composition and added additional imaginary-"photo" elements about what my student was seeing as she painted at the Duncan Gardens of Manito Park. In this new painting, I wanted to tell a story of one person's exploration and creativity.
Question 2: How do I combine the beauty of the Sumi ink patterns with using poured water colors?uestion 2: How do I create a painting whereby the beauty of the Sumi ink can make a statement and work with my other mixed media pouring techniques
My new drawing.
I knew that I was going to have to make different choices in the creative process of painting this image. I knew that with this subject, I wanted to include both monochromatic pattern elements of the dark sumi ink as well as have bold bright hues floating as if to say that "color" was a symbol of creativity"
The answer came to me with the idea of using a resist product commonly used when painting with watercolors.
The answer came to me with the idea of using a resist product commonly used when painting with watercolors.
Incredible white mask is a product better known as a masking agent and this was the answer to my question of how do I control the placement of free flowing ink !
By using friskit I can mask out specific regions of a painting. This step allows me to "save" parts of my artwork, such as the whites of my wc paper. In order that future techniques would not block the beauty of my Sumi ink but would rather be seen glowing behind or next to the poured liquid, transparent watercolors that I love to use.
I began by using friskit and "masked" out all the areas that I wanted to remain the white of the paper.
I brushed on the "incredible white mask" friskit over the composition's imaginary photos , borders and my student, so that the swirling patterns of Sumi ink would flow over the entire background without creating marble patterns on the star subjects of my painting.
While I let the friskit dry...I filled a large plastic container with water and dropped a small amount of Sumi ink from a stick onto the water.
This is where the fun begins.... Let's play!
By blowing over the ink with a straw and/or moving the "clean" water into the ink droplets, new patterns swirl creating wonderful forms.
You should try experimenting with this technique, it's fun to watch the ever changing patterns and is a great activity to do with the young artists in your world!
I brushed on the "incredible white mask" friskit over the composition's imaginary photos , borders and my student, so that the swirling patterns of Sumi ink would flow over the entire background without creating marble patterns on the star subjects of my painting.
While I let the friskit dry...I filled a large plastic container with water and dropped a small amount of Sumi ink from a stick onto the water.
This is where the fun begins.... Let's play!
By blowing over the ink with a straw and/or moving the "clean" water into the ink droplets, new patterns swirl creating wonderful forms.
You should try experimenting with this technique, it's fun to watch the ever changing patterns and is a great activity to do with the young artists in your world!
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| In this photo you can see the monochromatic Suminagashi patterns. |
You can,now, see how I have painted my yellowy-resist friskit across specific regions and than experimented with the suminagashi technique as I dipped my 300 lb wc paper into my vat.
Many years ago, I discovered the fun that can be had working with liquid watercolor paint. By dissolving some paint in a jar of water and then pouring this paint onto a wet sheet of paper, I can create a beautiful range of primary , secondary and tertiary hues that flow together.
Before pouring my watercolor paints over my 300lb cold pressed paper, I laid down additional plastic wrap. Plastic wrap when left on top of wet paint will lend itself in making unusual patterns as the paint dries.
Poured wc paint with assorted patterns.
When the paint and paper have completely dried, I am ready to go onto to the next adventurous poured layer! I control the shapes of subsequent pours by painting more of the "Incredible White mask" in specific shape-defining strokes. Pouring multiple layers of transparent water colors allows me to build darks and create a range of values.
Including a full range of values in our paintings is an important part for creating a successful art project!
Including a full range of values in our paintings is an important part for creating a successful art project!
Next layer - pouring more paint
Now I must figure out away to unite all of these different layers and techniques and turn these strokes and pours into a painterly story about a day at the park.
Painting after ink and pouring techniques & friskit is removed.
I love working with a mix of different medias. One can create an endless array of looks and all it takes is asking yourself "What if I...?" and seeing what happens! Lets begin with:
What if I paint some areas with a brush and watercolors?
My goal is to further define the composition through a use of including light, medium values and rich -saturated darks for shadows.
What if I use some fluid acrylic paints to further enhance the saturation of the colors?
I, frequently, use acrylic paints, which are more opaque, in my creations because acrylics allow me to bring back out lost light spots in my composition.
"What if I use paper collage...?"
Although in this painting I did not use any paper collage, if you really want to have some fun try cutting up small bits of thin-painted paper and adhere to a painting with an acrylic medium or glue.
What if I paint some areas with a brush and watercolors?
My goal is to further define the composition through a use of including light, medium values and rich -saturated darks for shadows.
What if I use some fluid acrylic paints to further enhance the saturation of the colors?
I, frequently, use acrylic paints, which are more opaque, in my creations because acrylics allow me to bring back out lost light spots in my composition.
"What if I use paper collage...?"
Although in this painting I did not use any paper collage, if you really want to have some fun try cutting up small bits of thin-painted paper and adhere to a painting with an acrylic medium or glue.
In the next photo, you can see an array of watercolor paints on my palette, paper plates loaded with fluid acrylic paints and ideas forming for what to do next!
This is the time that I spend studying what has been left behind by the variety of methods explored previously. This is the moment when I decide what to do next! In this second of my series, I am choosing to allow design and color to tell the story of a union of inspiration and imagination regarding subject style and brush strokes. The result of this choice is a unique vision that speaks of our personal perceptions.
In my next steps, I begin working with a brush painting back and forth using both wc and acrylics. I have decided that I want the background with the sumi ink patterns to be visible, unlike in my first painting. Through the use of monochoromatic shapes I want to imply that these marbled areas are ideas yet to be realized. I, also, want to emphasize content by using color to define a story about both being an inspired artist and the act of creating.
My plan is to work on the painter and the three photos, in back, using bold, bright colors. I want these areas to be an emphatic study of creative energy! I will choose to use warm colors to aid in bringing my center of interest, the artist, into focus and will paint with cool hues to create the feeling of image-ideas receding into space and time.
Slowly I develop my story through a use of alternately painting with transparent watercolors and opaque acrylics. When I see a good balance of design, when color and value expresses my anecdotal vision, I know that I am done.
"SENORY PERCEPTION" 22 x 17 wc, sumi ink and acrylics © Elise Beattie
The finished exploration of creating with mixed water media is a game of surprise. I prefer to think of these paintings as mysterious puzzles that can have many different endings, dependant upon how I choose to answer the ultimate creative question "What if I...?".
I think it is important to remember that painting is an entertaining opportunity to create our own visual stories. All we have to do, as artists, is be willing to ask "What if I...use my imagination? Then, step back ,watch what happens when you choose to pour or splatter or use a variety of mediums and then allow your paint to play with the physics of working on either wet or dry paper or canvas.
In other words, let IT happen! And choose to enjoy, what ever process you decide to P.L.A.Y with !
I think it is important to remember that painting is an entertaining opportunity to create our own visual stories. All we have to do, as artists, is be willing to ask "What if I...use my imagination? Then, step back ,watch what happens when you choose to pour or splatter or use a variety of mediums and then allow your paint to play with the physics of working on either wet or dry paper or canvas.
In other words, let IT happen! And choose to enjoy, what ever process you decide to P.L.A.Y with !
Thank you for visiting my web site. I hope you find this blog helpful and enjoyable. Now it is time for you to take your artwork to new and exciting levels of creative exploration! What will you do, when you ask yourself "What if I..?"
If I can be of assistance on your road of painterly learning, I invite you to contact me about my "Fearless" painting classes.
If you are 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 college and private classes? I teach both 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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