Thursday, June 28, 2012

PPF: When do you ink?

Hi and welcome to my entry for Paint Party Friday! I'm on vacation, traveling abroad for a month, and my art kit is limited to a sketchbook, watercolors, watercolor pencils, pen and pencil. I've enjoyed the opportunity its given me to explore this media.  When I first started sketching and painting with watercolors, I would sketch with pencil first, then paint and then add ink at the end to define everything (like I did in the bottom picture above of hurling equipment left outside a store on Innis Mor). Recently, I've experimented with sketching in pencil, then drawing in ink and painting last (like I did in the Insomnia Coffee Co. sketch). I find this easier and much more free-ing. It's almost like coloring in a coloring book!  Finally, I've made a few pages like this:
where I do some free painting without pencil or ink guides for large parts of the piece.  I find this scary! So, I'm curious, when do you add ink to your drawings/paintings? 
For more painterly goodness, check out this link to paint party friday.

32 comments:

scrappyjacky said...

I'm afraid I don't draw or paint!!Love your pint of Guinness.....so long as I don't have to drink it!!

debs14 said...

I don't draw or paint either! But really admire those who do. The Insomnia Coffee Company page is excellent. You have such talent.

Lisabella Russo said...

I'm not going to have an answer to that either! I do paint, but with acrylics, and while I definitely sketch in pencil, I tend to not do anything with the lineart beyond using it as a point of reference. I very much like your watercolors, I think they're clever and fun. Also, I applaud you for taking a kit with you and making art during your vacation!

Netty said...

Loving your fun drawings. Happy PPF, Annette x

Kokopelli said...

Yum! Guinness! Have a nice vacation!

jywheeler said...

I am like Lisa, I sketch in with pencil too before I paint. Watercolors are fun. Travel journals are always fun to do. I took a sketch pad when I went to Italy. It is fun to look back at what I sketched. You know I think if you sketch what you see you'll remember it a lot longer than if you took a photo of it...

Missus Wookie said...

I tend to do a variety depending on what I'm trying to do - so often I'll ink a shape colour in, or I'll use ink lines to create frames or ink edges of things (my favourite inking technique) and then add more layers.

But I'll go back over the top with more ink if it looks as if it needs it! Especially filling in stamped or rub-on images.

Å olanje na domu-Waldorf said...

Great fun paintings! :)

Cheri said...

I haven't done enough drawing or painting to have developed a process... just whatever the spirit moves me to do at the time!

carol l mckenna said...

Lovely creations ~ as for the ink ~ can be done several ways ~ really a matter of your preface ~ I see wonderful progress in your art work ~ enjoy your trip!~ thanks, ^_^ (A Creative Harbor)

Melissa said...

So glad you are enjoying your drawing & painting while you're away. I don't really do either, although I am contemplating trying a class or two later this year.

Beverly said...

I generally ink last or not at all. I've just started traveling with a sketchbook and wish I had many years ago.

Lynne Moncrieff said...

Hi
It has been too long since I last did any drawings but when I did I found I had no particular method. Sorry that isn't very helpful!
How amazing for you to look back and know you have your memories in sketch form.
Wishes
Lynne

Ayala Art said...

I do the inking at the very end. Sometimes I do it twice, first and last :oP
I like your pages and I can see you are having fun! Enjoy your trip!

laurie said...

i usually do the ink before the paint, like you did. i'm so glad you are capturing your trip on paper - your journal will be a wonderful souvenir.

Karen Smithey said...

I do my drawings in ink right off the bat--seems like I get much funkier, cool sketches when I do that. I have had to work on being brave with ink, though!

Marji said...

I just love the idea that you are drawing, painting and inking in your sketch book. Experimenting with the different things until you find what works best for you is the way to go. You are inspiring. I really need to start to do some drawings again. Great work! Happy PPF

HeARTworks said...

Sometimes I ink after coloring, sometimes I do it before, and soemtimes I do it both before AND after! The thing is do what makes you happy! When you sketch while travelling, I think you see more! Happy sketching! Patsy

Elizabeth said...

Sorry, I can't draw a crooked line or a straight one! However, I have heard that details are added when everything is dry so there is less chance of bleeding. I think your drawings are great!

Tammie Lee said...

wonderful to see your travel art.
i always wonder what to take on my trips or even every time i walk out the door!

I think it might be handy to have a travel kit, made and everything stays in it.... ready to go.

Tracey FK said...

I have a travel kit now, though sometimes I don't quite get the time to use it with all the sleeping and reading, so I am impressed you got anything done...xx

Anne Manda said...

Great that you are painting while traveling, I hope to be as diligent on my trip! As for the sequence of applying ink and paint I sort of change it around...

Mary C. Nasser said...

So wonderful that you are making art during your travels abroad!
Very inspiring!!
♥♥♥
Happy PPF!!
Mary
Mixed-Media Map Art

JKW said...

I love that you are taking the sketch book with you and told us what you will be using. I was thinking about doing that, but couldn't decide what to take. I have sketched first then ink, then erased the pencil marks and colored with pencil. I have also sketched, colored and inked last. Either way I use them all. Thanks so much for the brilliant 'insomnia coffee co.' Have a great trip and Many Blessings, Janet PPF

Caitlyn (ladyphlogiston) said...

I don't sketch nearly as much as I should :) I'm traveling with a similar art kit this week, though, so maybe I should practice.

Alicia said...

it's way fun limiting oneself to media onpurpose - i love the idea & execution of Insomnia Cafe LOL! sounds about right...

jywheeler said...

When I paint or do pen work I prefer also to sketch in pencil first. My son in law is an artist and he just goes straight to the ink....I wish I could do that....Happy PPF!

GlorV1 said...

Love your pages and how great that you take your sketchbook with you. Very nice.

Lynn Cohen said...

I draw in ink immediately. Pitt Artist Pens or Castell. I do not use pencil or eraser. I am brave! LOL If a line gets where it doesn't belong so be it! Maybe I'll paint over it with dark paint, and maybe I'll just let it be. Fine with me.
I use ink that is water soluable. The watercolors do not disturb it.
I find that these same pens do not want to draw on top of paint however. It ruins the pen. I might or have done added Sharpie pen ink on top of paint.

Carol said...

Love the Insomnia Coffee Company page. It describes me perfectly this week ;0)

Sabina said...

My goodness, my Guinness. How cool that you've still made time for your art, even while you're away. Love your choice of subject matter-hehe.

And as for me, I do a pencil outline, then watercolor, then ink. If I do ink, then watercolor, the ink always ends up bleeding. Enjoy your travels.

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

I love the bright colors in your insomnia cafe an the gestural feel of the design. Hope you had a relaxing vacation. Blessings!