Ink and Brush Creations

Just another 1stAngel Arts Network weblog

Finally found some time to work on this painting! Have started on the toy she is laying next to, adding more and more layers of color wash. Adding more and more detail to her face and body. The close up below, is pretty close to the color she will be when finished.

And I think I have figured out a name for this painting, “Urban Jungle”, kind of just popped into my head.

The first and second layers of color are finally done on the Sofa. Now I just have to decide to antique the sofa or leave it bright like it is.

As I work on the light areas , so I do not get muddy washes, I normally remove my pencil marks before I start to paint. So it requires me to remember the contours of her body.

Another close up to show some of the detail that has been applied so far. Can see the first wash of color of the toy on the bottom of the photo and have applied a very light wash on the white parts of her face. Most white you see, isn’t just plain white…but varying shades of this color.

Then there is the first inking of the inner stripes, there are millions of them.

This Close up will also show you why it takes so long for me to do these paintings.

I had someone ask me what supplies do I use and recommend for painting my Pen and Inks?

For the Ink………..I use both ink & brush- India waterproof ink and Pens. The pens I prefer are the “Sakura’s Pigma Micron Pen“ with permanent, waterproof, pigmented ink, in sizes 005 and 01 and for finer work, the “Copic Multiliner” 0.03 Pen. Thay can be used dry or wet, on the paper or with a brush.  Once the ink is dry, you can do wet watercolor washes over the painting without the fear of picking up the black ink and ruining your painting.

The best watercolor pencils I have used to date are the “Derwent Watercolour Pencils”. I use my Derwent watercolor pencils like you would a Cake of traditonal watercolor.

Have found many people become discouraged when the paper they use is not suited for the art they do. It falls apart, fuzzes or peels when they try to put more than one layer of ink or color on it.

So, Paper is just important, maybe even more important than the mediums one uses. When I first started out, I used cold press watercolor paper which did not always hold up well. Then someone recommended to me to try a good quality Hot Press paper. Lets just say, I will never go back to cold press.

I found the best paper for the many layers of ink and watercolor pencil wash I do, is the “Fabriano Artistico” and I prefer their “Bright White Hot Press Watercolor Block”.  Is a nice super smooth 140lb paper and gives me no problems.

For my Derwent watercolor pencil storage, I tossed the tins they came in and bought some nice pencils cases. Makes it so much easier to store and use. 

Paint brushes..I use mostly sizes 00, 01, 02, 06. Believe or not my favorite brush is the one that came in the Derwent watercolor pencil set. Princeton’s are a cheap brush but hold up very well and are nice to use.

I have included some photos of my instruments of creating. In one photo you can see how I set up what I need, when I am actively painting.

If anyone has some favorites they like to paint with and why, please feel free to add a comment.