Coloured inks -best way to use

[Waxlyrically]

Just treated myself to a set of coloured inks. Have been doing standard ink drawings for a while and love it but how do I go about adding colour? Do you paint them on? Dilute them? Use a pen? Anyone else use them?

[HappydaysArehere]

Have used acrylic inks which are really easy. Are your inks soluble? Acrylic inks can be painted over but other inks can be moved and thinned out with water. Acrylic does this as well. You can use a brush which will give a lovely painterly look to your work. Just remember to wash your brush or brushes out thoroughly and don't ever let acrylic dry on the bristles. A nice soft art brush would work well, maybe size 6. If you can get to Cass Art you get good advise and decent stuff at good prices. You sound as if you are having fun. That's great. You could also try water colours with your ink drawings. Again, look at the Cass Art web site. You won't beat them for price and quality, especially water colour paints. Announce your first exhibition on mumsnet and I will be there!

[EmNetta]

I have coloured inks for calligraphy, which are really designed for use as watercolours, and agree with Happy
about using them with acrylics and/or a paintbrush.

[ChaffinchOfDoom]

Ive just painted a canvas with calligraphy inks as I loved the colours, am wondering if they'll fade though
I tried drying some out a bit to give a thicker texture too, good fun.

[HappydaysArehere]

Keep your canvas away from direct light, for example opposite window. If they are acrylic inks they will be fine as most these days are light fast. However, other inks may not be. Look them up on a web sight and ascertain how light fast they are. Water colours are also best not hung opposite a window although manufacturers have improved their rating. What did you paint? Would love to know. I am always looking for inspiration.

[ChaffinchOfDoom]

I don't paint for ages then I get the urge, I do abstract weird close ups
this one is titled in my head ''evolution'' though as I keep repainting it

I used the inks for the gold coloured one

[ChaffinchOfDoom]

I'm going to put green onto it next

it started off blue but I disliked it intensely blue.

[HappydaysArehere]

Love the idea and your exploration of colour. Be bold and ever thought of entering the RA Summer Show? They love the quirky and unusual. These competitions are a lottery but worth a go.
(Got a space here but not technical so don't know how to get rid of it)

Your idea reminds me of some of my grandsons A level art as there was a series of work which went further and further into the mind. Remember laughing with him as we thought by the time the examiner got to the end he would be so confused that he would have to give him an A in case he got it wrong! His other work was quite different and he did get an A. I have tried all sorts of materials, subjects but my favourite has been portraits of all sorts and things that family and friends ask for. I have just started an enormous canvas which I have coated with various pale shades of pink. I have plonked the beginnings of large white hibiscus flowers with dark red centres here and there. Hopefully they will emerge from a dark red pot! You never know! The idea is that the colours will suit a particular person's wall! My walls are full up. They record family, holidays, flowers given for particular occasions, flowers in the garden, etc. Family walls are also crowded out so I now have to think out of the box. I help a small group of elderly people paint and it is great to see the pleasure that it gives them. The only way to do it is to do do it. That and visit exhibitions to see what other people are doing. Good luck.

[ChaffinchOfDoom]

thanks for that!

it relaxes me, and is fun. more people should have a go but I think there is a lot of fear. fear of wasting money paint/canvases...fear of not knowing how to...fear of being judged.
it's a shame, I love you working with older people. I run a telephone book group for 6 through the charity Independent Age. it's wonderful!

[HappydaysArehere]

You are so right. The biggest hurdle to overcome with the above mentioned group was fear of wasting canvases and materials (which are given to them). Then there was the fear of not being able to "do it". They were using acrylics and soon got the idea that work could be painted over and all they had to do was enjoy it and work in a bold manner. They really enjoy it now and have been working at it at home. When I said they were a talented lot they replied that they had had it in them but I had brought it out. That really pleased me as I believe that painting is a joy that anyone can enjoy. It is therapeutic, an antidote for people living on their own and a way of seeing the world in a completely different way. I am so pleased you are gaining so much pleasure from your work. As an artist said to me one day "I really don't know what people do who don't paint" and she meant it!