Ink & Watercolor

My Ink with Watercolor Method

Watercolors pale as they dry but indelible ink retains it’s vivid hue and is a perfect complement to watercolor.

In one technique the background of the piece is loosely painted in watercolor; ink is dropped into parts or all of the piece and then it’s covered with plastic wrap. Drying occurs over days and the moisture draws the plastic into contorted shapes; these natural shapes create interest in the finished piece.

In another technique, rice paper is floated on an inch or two of water. Often crumpled paper or botanical items are in the water under the paper. Ink is added above and/or below the paper and the piece is left to dry in the sun. And the basin is not moved at all. Ink and paper move as the water slowly evaporates creating interesting-and often surprising- effects.