working in ink

There is nothing like using ink to force me to work quickly and freely, thinking in terms of light and shadow.

The ink is water-based and dries rapidly (especially on hot days). I can't erase mistakes or spend time agonising over little details. Plus I have to keep painting until the ink I've decanted is all used up (it would be terrible to let it dry up in the ink well!). I just love the deep blacks that are possible with good artists' ink.

This is the first of six, done v quickly on a hot Australian day (yes, it's summer over here!).