by
Have you considered exploring the world of ink paintings? You’re in for a wild experience, I can tell you. The first time I signed up to take a Jiu Jing Mo Shui Hua Ke Cheng class, I did not know what I’d be doing. The journey from a beginner to a confident artist is full with twists. Learn more about the author and their artistic journey.
I remember vividly the first day. I felt like a child trying to run without walking, armed with ink and a paintbrush. My strokes appeared shaky. The paper I used looked more like a mess. Rome was not constructed in one day.
Ink painting can teach patience. Imagine trying to capture a tree’s essence in just a few strokes. It would be like trying to create a whole novel using only ten sentences! Each stroke has its own personality and mood.
One day, during a class, our teacher gave us a simple exercise. He told us to paint bamboo. Sounds easy? It’s not as easy as it sounds! The secret is in the pressure you apply and the angle at which your brush is held. It’s easy to get a blob when you apply excessive pressure.
It’s only when you begin experimenting that the magic really happens. I used rice paper instead regular sketching and the results were incredible! Rice paper was able to absorb ink and create beautiful textures.
The meditative nature of ink paintings was another surprise. Imagine this: Soft music in the backdrop, your brush moving smoothly over the paper. Each stroke will calm your mind.
We shouldn’t ignore mistakes, they’re also part of the process. Once, I accidentally spilled a little water on my almost-finished piece. I initially panicked. But then I saw how the water made interesting patterns by spreading through the ink.