INK WASH: THE BLACK AND WHITE "WATERCOLOR"

  Black ink is a powerful and unpredictable ally that when tamed, produces delicate gray washes that are very unique. They can be controlled as smooth layers just like watercolor applications or allowed to "do its thing" by giving it motion freedom. Let's look as some typical wash samples. Above each is a small brush application of that technique.

  A "blended" wash can have value contrasts very tightly (left) or less controlled (right). Ink is applied first. The resulting grays are pushed and pulled into smoothness by additional water and brush containment.

  Wet ink on wet paper is "runny". Bold thrusts of black swirl into the water ending in smokey tendrils and feathered grays. Each touch of new water and ink causes new stirrings. The brush merely applies and lets the unexpected happen. Ink paper is best for this effect.

  Wet into partially wet background forces grays to have a hard line white edging where it hits bare, dry paper spots. This increases the reflection effect and affords whiter "whites" in the drawing.

  White wax applied to the paper causes washes to "skip over" and puddle in tiny bare areas the wax has missed. This creates an interesting white texture with bumpy highlights and mottled grays where the washes sink in and stay.

  Salt added to wet washes (top left) creates a spotted texture (top right). Some salt absorbs the wash and makes those spots lighter. Some ink settles around the salt grains and effects a black pitted texture.

  Dry brush is a less detailed, broad stroke application. The brush is dabbed on toweling to remove excess ink and immediated stroked on the paper in several directions. Mass form is the intent.

  Watercolors can be the blending medium as well as water. The ink is painted first, and a water color wash touches the ink edge to pull it in the desired direction. Colors will be grayed by the ink.

  Watercolors can also be applied first and allowed to dry. Ink washes are later overlapped and lighted by additional water, letting the base colors peek through. Colors are stronger by this method. Try this with watercolor paper!