by Imagine this scene: an intimate studio humming with anticipation. Everyone is holding their own brush, full of endless possibilities. The atmosphere of an ink course is one where both ideas and the ink flows in equal quantities. From the moment the class begins, a hum of unspoken creativity permeates the space. Continue?
Tom is seated amongst a group of excited faces. Tom is a techie who’s looking to detach and do something exciting and real. You don’t have to be a good artist to do ink paintings. Instead, you need to embrace spontaneity. He is tentative at first and grips the brush with trepidation, as though it may bite. His nervousness soon turns into a curious amazement as he dips the black paintbrush in.
Even though it may seem mysterious, ink paintings are really just a matter of trusting your intuition. All it takes is translating your ideas into colors, lines and strokes. It feels as if a tale is being told the moment that the brush touches the rice paper. With each fluid or firm movement you bring a different aspect of the natural world to life.
Tom draws a sketch on bamboo with an expression that is both childlike and full of concentration. It is unpredictable how the ink will spread, at times too fast and other times stopping exactly where it should. Although his initial attempt looks more like modern art, it’s a good start. In the quiet camaraderie of chuckles shared and similar stories, there is a sense of community.
Ink painting can take on a variety of styles, from the controlled to the carefree. The bold strokes can tell stories of resilience while the soft and flowing lines speak to a gentle calm. The weight of each stroke is similar to a ballet dancer telling stories through their movements.
Ever tried painting outdoors? Capturing nature in the moment is magical. It’s amazing how the sunlight can play with shadows and highlights. Inside, the familiarity and comfort allows for a focus on details.
Selecting your tool is also an adventure of discovery. Brushes are available in a variety of sizes and styles, all with their unique personalities. You can think of brushes as instruments. Although they all have similar tones, each brush has its unique personality. It’s all about choosing one that fits your style. Do you want to create delicate details with a fine brush or bold, ambitious visions using a wide brush?
As soon as your art is printed, you’ll need to take steps to preserve it. An ink painting can become a family treasure with a simple framing. These simple, yet profound pieces capture moments in time and make them permanent.
All their simplicity has a way of creating tight-knit community. It’s a safe space to laugh at a misplaced line or find inspiration in a stroke of perfection. In this space, strangers come together to share their art, and push the boundaries between friendships and art.
More than anything else, these courses are all about exploration–finding inspiration in even the most simple of forms and learning to embrace the artful imperfection. Then dip your brush in to the ink. Tap into your hidden artistic side and let your strokes take you on timeless and spontaneous journey. What story will your next ink tell?