Ink painting is not something you learn to do, it is a state of mind. You are not learning to apply techniques; you are learning to allow the brush to say what the word does not. Take your brush and dip it into the ink and you are free. It is about finding your rhythm, finding the beat to all the movements and letting the ink carry you wherever it goes. Even with some basic equipment at your disposal in the form of ink, a brush, and a piece of paper, you are all ready to make works of art that come alive. And a course in ink painting will plunge you into that process. Discover all painting modules, explore the site for full access.
You may suppose that it is all about learning each stroke strictly. The truth? It is not so important about precision but about the feeling. Naturally, you will know how to manage your brush adequately–the fundamentals will be learned. But you will find on going into it that the brush becomes a part of you. Your line on paper does not have to be flawless. It may be jagged and smooth, or even fractured–but that is the beauty. Every line is a statement, an emotion. And in painting with ink, the defective ones are so likely to have the most character.
An ink painting course is not about copying pictures but changing them. It is not about depicting the exact details of everything, but what is necessary. Perhaps it is the sweeping of the branches of a tree or the light over a landscape. Ink painting teaches you to limit yourself to the fundamentals, and leave the brushwork to imply everything. The loveliness of ink lies in that which is not said. You are able to insinuate, allude, and imply, letting the viewer connect the dots. That is the magic of the art form, you are not telling them everything, but you are showing them just enough.
The best thing is that wholly liberating is the manner in which ink painting teaches you to relinquish control. Perfectionism is not an option. You will learn with practice that the happy accidents of the splashes, the drips, the unintentional smudges are what make your work of art feel alive. The ink can flow in an unexpected manner, but that is where the creativity takes off. The course will make you embrace those moments. The ink never does what you want but that is allright. It’s all part of the process.
You will become more confident as you progress through your course. You will be trying out, experimenting and yes, making mistakes–but it will all be a step towards new things. Ink painting is a journey. Every work you do is a discovery of your feelings, your ideas, your surroundings. It has nothing to do with being perfect, but speaking something that is very personal. then take your brush, make a mess, and have the ink carry you away on a voyage which you had not even imagined you wanted. That adventure is only beginning with the course.