From past experience, I know the only way to stick with my Art 365 resolution is to make it interesting and challenging. Sure there will be lazy days where I will fall back on the familiar, the easy tried and true subjects and techniques. However, to keep myself interested I need to try new techniques, tackle new subjects. One of the reasons I am an artist is that I love learning new things.
Chinese brush painting is an art form that I have always admired and would love to learn. Sooo, guess what Art 365 is today?
Chinese brush painting, but with a twist. I used basically the sketch kit version of the traditional Chinese Brush painting supplies. I was inspired to try this after watching a video of Henry Li Chinese brush painting en plein air in his sketchbook. Henry is the owner of Blue Heron Arts, which is where I purchased my supplies. I used a piston water brush, an ink cake with case, a ceramic flower palette, and a rice paper stab bound sumi sketch book. All from Blue Heron Arts
This sketch was definitely a challenge!! Painting directly in ink with no pencil guidelines is always a bit of a risk but due to the combination of controlling the water from the piston water brush and how amazingly absorbent (much different from sized watercolor paper) the rice paper every stroke was a surprise. I never knew just how the ink would behave. So. Much. Fun!!! I think I might be in love! I am absolutely going to keep practicing this type of sketching. It would be so awesome to be able to use this in the wild out urban sketching!!
Remember, faith works!
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