Introduction to drawing with ink

Explore the properties of ink through a series of experiments that will form a reference library in the form of a sketchbook of techniques. You will learn about the properties of ink and how it behaves using different papers and tools to encourage a variety of effects and a language of mark-making outcomes. You will conclude by working directly in the landscape looking at line, tone, form and composition, allowing the ink flow to make a suggestion of the landscape through the marks you make.

Ability: Beginners
The minimum time required to watch and respond to the video content and complete the tasks is 6 hours. The tutor also recommends how you can develop your work further so that you can continue to use the skills acquired on this course for future projects.
Access: Six months of online access to all of the course content.

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Introduction to tutor Deborah Petch and workshop overview

Getting started

Health & safety, materials and equipment

Workshops

Paper preparation
Mark-making introducing a range of tools
Controlling ink with water and washes
Creating white areas using resist and white ink
Creating ink drawings in the landscape

Completion

Ideas going forward
Further information and resources

Course includes:

Access to our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) with course content
A series of instructional videos to work through and repeat at your own pace
Practical tasks to complete
Helpful materials suppliers list
Student online gallery where you can post images of your work for tutors to review and comment on
Support from the college and tutors via email should you need it during the course
Additional notes and ideas

You will need:
Equipment

A1 drawing board (MDF not melamine)
4 water pots
Bone folder and book knife (not essential)
Scissors
Water tray for A1 paper (or you can use a bath or sink)
Small plastic seed tray
Water spritzer / spray bottle
Kitchen knife
Palette knife
1.5 inch major wash brush (flat soft acrylic bristle)
½ inch major brush flat
1 small glue brush for masking fluid
Rigger brush
Dip pen
1 glue spreader
3 pipettes
Stanley knife
Mark-making tools – e.g. sticks, feather

Materials

2 x A1 300gsm cartridge paper
2 x 300gsm watercolour paper (Bockingford, cold pressed)
1 x A4 Khadi cotton rag paper 300gsm
2 x A5 blotting paper
Black permanent pigment Indian ink (Winsor & Newton)
Black drawing dye based ink (Quink)
White drawing ink
Rag
Cling film
Small pillar candle
Cotton buds
Bamboo skewer
Table salt
Masking tape
Paper gum strip
Masking fluid
4B pencil (water soluble)
A drinking straw
String
Vinyl protective gloves

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Deborah studied Fine Art at Brighton University and University of Chichester. Her master’s degree culminated in a series of large-scale abstract paintings which all evolved from drawing and printmaking processes. Deborah is primarily concerned with the exploration of what it means to be connected to world we live in, which she expresses through her artwork. She primarily works outdoors on ancient sites where the weather, sense of place and nuances of the past all influence her work. Deborah enjoys using ink as a drawing material as it bridges the gap between drawing and painting. She makes her own ink from natural materials and experiments with these on a small and large scale. Deborah has worked with Arts Council England, Pallant House Gallery and University of Chichester and exhibits her work throughout the UK.

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Introduction to drawing with ink

Tutor

Deborah Petch

Course content

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