How to use acrylic inks (a demo)

This week, I’m playing with ink and water. When I find something I like, I’ll explore that idea over and over again, letting it lead me down a path of discovery.
I’m not trying to replicate what I liked, but rather find the next thing. In this video you’ll see me demo my process of moving ink around the page to see what interesting effects I come up with. It’s all about experimentation and noticing what I enjoy.
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On Facebook at www.facebook.com
On Instagram at / louisefletcher_art
And on my podcast at: www.louiseflet...

[@jeanbaardsen2863]

I can't tell you how many times I've done something I liked, then tried to do something similar, and failed miserably! This was a good bit of information to share.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad it helped!

[@deedoyle397]

You make each mark-making exercise an event! More than the "how-to," It's really helpful to hear your thought process through each of these ... Thanks! Am looking forward to find Your Joy Taster!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Great to hear!

[@donnaer]

I’ve signed up for 2023, and am hoping to develop the looseness and noticing skills, so I go back to watch this as a reminder. Thanks! I’m excited!

[@candicewoodard8575]

Love the randomness of inks and high flow acrylics. But this video takes it to another level as I usually think I can replicate into a painting. Now I can relax and just have fun. I call some of my creations "there goes crazy grandma again". lol. Thank you, Louise.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

you are welcome!

[@ArieleYedida]

You are a genius, plain and simple. I rarely see you create anything that I find unsuccessful. The words you use to teach what's important in art making have truly helped me. More power to you Louise!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

thank you so much x

[@CC-vw1cs]

Interesting, just today I was trying to replicate some old marks and drips and felt the frustration you talk about... Very valuable lesson you teach, thank you!

[@sarawelder1]

It was really helpful to see you experiment with how the water is added and when.

[@lindapowell2660]

Its lovely to have to nattering away, talking about your exploring while I am doing my own exploring.

[@archerandthemouse]

You must have a million sketch books, a library of them. How fun it must be to go through old ones. Thank you for sharing.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I don't have as many as you might think because I was away from my art for many years of my life. I'm trying to make up for lost time though!

[@lisafr856]

You are an amazing artist! I love watching you work, and then trying to do some stuff on my own. Thank you.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome! Happy painting!

[@diannelacourciere4129]

It is wonderful hearing your thought process.😊

[@saramccracken5342]

I do love your casual demos showing us just how to start and not be too precious!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@appassionata971]

I just found you on KZbin.... and I'm really happy !!!!

[@imogenequest56]

Wow! I haven’t been this excited about trying a new medium in quite awhile! I love all of them. So much fun with the 2 colours! Acrylic inks are now on my Christmas list

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Have fun!

[@marytrantow8792]

This was sooo helpful. You’re right, I always try to replicate but your explanation makes total sense. Thank you!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@monckeyman14]

These are great small explorations to starts..

[@luciewalker5733]

Brilliant given me a new dimension to try with inks so far not tried thank you

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome Lucie ❤

[@rowenacorlett3146]

Love this demo. Makes me realise how you can use water with acrylics and get great effects like with watercolour.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Yes you can! Glad you enjoyed it. ❤

[@leafrisher517]

Àmazing work of art. You are so talanted ,wise and generous. Thank you.

[@dianecharest8365]

You always inspire me, whenever i watch your videos.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Aww thank you so much Diane ❤

[@deborahbaker3177]

I just love your messages here: don't get attached, don't make experiments too precious. Instead of trying to replicate one experiment, think about what you like and discover what comes next.

[@suzanneolson1628]

I loved your comments on the different pieces. I can’t wait to try this technique to explore work I’ve done that I like, and I have the day off tomorrow!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Wonderful!

[@vickibrighton9455]

It’s so helpful to hear your thought process as you create. Looking forward to your upcoming class! ♥️

[@leilaskye8143]

I am looking forward to your taster course. I have a little peice ready in my diary. I will keep trying and exploring. I dont have what I love so will go back. Thank you Loiuse

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Wonderful!

[@devnagraham1006]

This was so informative I really appreciate you sharing your process. Very useful for someone like me who needs to learn to loosen up and experiment more! Thank you

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad I could help. ♥

[@elsatroubetzkoy7467]

Thank you Luise, for this video. Working with ink is a lot of fun and looses us up. I like to play with Ink and it is very important to have from the beginning of the creative process a jar with diluted ink - like you showed it to us - to have direct access to this shady gray (mid tone). I like your explanation very much, playing around and then trying to understand what we like or what we don't like and why!!! Even writing this dawn can be very helpful in the sense of not loosing this observation and to feel ready for the next step, like crossing a river on rocky stones until reaching the other riverside! Looking forward for your one week course!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I love the stones analogy!

[@joannepower203]

Always a pleasure to watch and so excited for the taster!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

me too!

[@kennetwikart9016]

Beautiful marks, makes you happy!

[@jo-sully-anne2418]

Watched this a couple of times now and getting something from each view 👌🏻

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I'm so pleased :)

[@djdfr]

I am looking forward to the up-coming course, along with a friend of mine.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

me too!

[@bdillvarga]

Another helpful video. Love hearing you make visible your thinking process!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@yogaasanastrasbourg4519]

thanks for give us the clue for understanding your process. very helpfull.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mariaguillerminaayrolo1480]

Love your art!!! great tutorial!! Thank you!!!!!!!!❤

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@oliveoil2022]

inspiring, I like your easy playful approach.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I appreciate that!

[@debbiekeneipp6305]

Love this video. Excellent inspiration!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad!

[@arlenemraz4607]

Would love to see a mat on those pieces to see the wonderful negative white spaces created by the lines that connect to the outside edges. In US …Carson has a Mixed Media pad that stands up to lots of layers….Thanks for sharing your art spirit…..mraz

[@alisonkleinhans3972]

Loved watching this. What valuable input! Thank you so much.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@marypartridge5154]

I love watching you and I love your down to earth approach. Are these ideas for paintings???

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Aww I am so glad you enjoy it and yes they are Mary!

[@gailwhitter3293]

Such a helpful video Louise ... I have been there .... trying to replicate one of those pieces I absolutely love and getting so frustrated when it fails ... now I have another way of looking at experiments ... love all your videos and sharing and looking forward to the upcoming workshop.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Wonderful!

[@barbmclean1722]

Thanks Louise for sharing. Such an important lesson!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@MsGnocchi]

I love your demos, you are such an inspiration. Every one of your practise pieces look like art! May I ask what you do with all these papers after you've done playing. I get anxiety thinking about what to do with all the playful bits as i don't have a lot of space. Do you let go of them or keep them all? What do you suggest for others just starting out?

[@maggiesmith6519]

Very very helpful thank you Louise!!!!❤️

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so very welcome!

[@Thistooshallpass3718]

I always love your videos. Thank you so much for your generous sharing of wisdom and joy. I would love to come perch in your studio!!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome

[@susanstern6303]

Can you do a similar thing with acrylic ink vs Indian ink? What’s the difference between them? Also do you have work that is only ink or is it just a part of a larger work?

[@sandylee1717]

Very helpful info thank you‼️

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You're so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@ziondanny7081]

Good lesson!

[@paintingtracey]

Incredible ❤

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you ❤

[@christineannette7482]

What a brilliant idea you gave me, to take parts of paintings I love and work on doing more of that in a sketchbook, instead of trying to replicate something smaller into a larger painting. I agree that has not worked well for me. I will try your suggestion. Really appreciate that!💛

[@SinewMinew]

It is so enjoyable to watch you work. I would love to see this ink project in a large scale format. I’m curious on how you deal with or adapt to the challenges in translating small to large. Hopefully you’ll share some of that process with a video!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Great suggestion!

[@rainazichterman2537]

Wonderful to do more of what I like.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

yes we make it so much harder than it needs to be

[@brandythompson6544]

I love to hear you articulate what you enjoy about each piece while you are creating it- and then when you were reviewing the dried pieces. Excellent lesson to learn to let go of accidents being recreated - but attempting to explore with the technique instead. Absolutely brilliant!!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You're so welcome!

[@unexpectedartists1676]

Wonderful demo

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you so much ♥

[@annetiwari4987]

Great demo. I wanted to introduce you to finger cots -- a sort of rubber or latex finger cover which ccomes in several sizes and which you can roll down over that bandaged finger. It will keep the bandage clean and dry even when you are washing your hands or doing what you do in the video.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Great tip!

[@LMAbstractArt]

Your videos are amazing, keep them coming!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you! Will do!

[@jo-sully-anne2418]

Hi Louise, I don't have Indian ink, but have acrylic ink. Do you think it could possibly work with that? Get so much joy watching you work and offering such wisdom and help. Thank you 🙏

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Yes it will be just the same x

[@jo-sully-anne2418]

@@ThisPaintingLife thank you 😊

[@shelleyhakonson5307]

Love these! The freedom is seductive, it's a great loosening up exercise. Bonus- they are lovely.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I agree it's a wonderful exercise! And thank you 🖌😍

[@geridegruy6070]

love!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad you liked it!

[@katjastar3621]

great advice. thanks a lot

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rosemarywright3513]

Thank you so much, really interesting

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@gailflynn443]

Great ! I agree I love the first one, but the exercise is fantastic.Do you keeps all these works? I just have so much.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

No I sold these. Others go on the bonfire x

[@missdeesaccount]

Can you please tell me what sketchbook you are using? I like the large, square format. Thank you! Your videos are great!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I think this is a Seawhite one

[@tjtinaj83]

The jars you have, are they just water down acrylic inks or watered down acrylic paint.

[@cintacful]

Can I ask you what medium you mixed a coloured ink to make it last longer. I just love the way you mix your blacks and yellow/orange.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I just used water x

[@deniselini1366]

Louises videos!!!!😄👏👏👏

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Aww thank you!

[@deniselini1366]

@@ThisPaintingLife 😄❤️

[@jazzlehazzle]

What are you using to mark? Charcoal? Crayon? Does it need to resist?

[@beverlyallen9045]

It was fun to see you playing with the ink, water and pigment. I can't wait for the course to begin next week! I'm curious - do you have a pile of those papers you played with? My studio is getting full of paper!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Yes I do

[@Denisemjohnson]

Great video. I love your thought process and how quickly you work. Can you tell me how you have your camera is suspended over your table? Thanks 😊

[@ThisPaintingLife]

specially made bracket on the wall

[@junebloye1487]

It’s so funny how you anticipate every dumb question before it’s asked! Well done. Would you ever use this method to paint an entire painting?

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Yes!

[@gelwithmark]

Hi Louise. I’m new to your channel and am really enjoying your vids that I’ve watched. I was just wondering if you could maybe tell me which brand of ink you are using and also the name of the paper from seawhites- or is it simply cartridge paper? Regards Mark

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I don't know what ink this was - I just buy whatever I can get. The seawhite paper is 220gsm cartridge paper

[@ellensalomonsen7465]

Hi Louise, thank you for your great videos! They are very helpful and inspiring for me. I would like to purchase the paper you are using in this video, could you spell out to me where you bought it? The water color paper is awful expensive for just playing 😏

[@Divinemessages69]

It's from Seawhite company in UK you have to have a registered website to apply to register before you can order anything. However if you are in the UK, there is a website called Cowling & Wilcox which sell the seawhite brands of paper! :)

[@ellensalomonsen7465]

@@Divinemessages69 thank you so much for answering. 🌸

[@johnscoppa6767]

Fantastic

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@mandiewilson8977]

Thank you - Wonderful! Would you also include in your text materials you are using for example, the large sheet of paper?

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Sorry Mandie, but I do this inbetween working and it's always hard to fit it in - if I also have to write up my materials, I'd never get round to making the videos.

[@donnabloomfield7187]

May i ask what color/brand the yellow is? I love this video, and have been trying. Big thanks!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I wish I could tell you but I have no idea as this was a while ago x

[@cyndysmith4756]

The one on the right reminds me of a yellow rosebud . At about 19:29

[@ThisPaintingLife]

🌻 I can totally see that!

[@robfuzz]

Do you make notes on each page of how you did that sketch, like materials used and mix of colors?

[@aboxofpaint]

I wanna be more like you.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Aw thank you so much!

[@swl9270]

Ditto

[@tinycuisine6544]

Well, remember what she just said: if you try to replicate it's not gonna work!

[@neljansen8275]

Hi Louise> Love your work, but completely missed the early June class. Bummer! Will you be offering this again in the fall, maybe. Hint, hint, hint! Can we put a bee in your bonnet?

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I will likely offer it again, although I'm not sure when. Stay tuned!

[@raggapuss]

Hello Am loving this video and signed up for your free workshop. Can you tell me please what size is that Sax mixed media paper you used... it looks large onscreen

[@rhondaviau-caron3322]

So was you orange and yellow paint watered down too because it looked thin.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

these are inks

[@rhondaviau-caron3322]

Thank you.

[@janewhite]

What sort of crayons do use Louise, are they wax?

[@raggapuss]

Hello trying to find out the size of the sax regular drawing paper..

[@robfuzz]

Have you ever tried blowing on the ink like with a straw? Using salt or rubbing alcohol drops? Do you incorporate acrylic inks with your acrylic painting?

[@sheilalittlejohns2851]

Brusho is also good for mark making thank you

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you!

[@catheeriinee16]

Hi Louise! May I ask what is the big black crayon you are using?

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Gosh I can't remember - could have been a stabilo woody??

[@bernardesfilipe]

I've been experimenting with acrylic inks and I find them a bit more finicky than liquid watercolour or india ink (lot more water needed to keep them moving), probably will try diluting them first next time. I've been using watercolour paper and it buckles a lot, creating some ridges that some time keeps inks on place, instead of letting them move - it seems your paper doesn't buckle as much (can't quite figure what would be the equivalent in Portugal, as Seawhite paper is not available), any tips on preventing that?

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thicker paper? Mine buckles too but I just flatten it with heavy books when it's dry

[@jacquelinemcabery6960]

What is the weight of the paper you use? Thank you!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Just whatever I have

[@KhairulsaniIsmail]

❤️❤️❤️👍🏼

[@rhondaviau-caron3322]

I am always afraid that I will love something random and never be able to recreate it. Or that I try it on my piece and hate it.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

That's just a mindset shift. Yes you will make random things that can't be recreated - but if you work this way all the time, you will make loads of different ones. Yes you will do some things you don't like - that's all part of being an artist. You have to let go of the fear and just have some fun!

[@jaynedough130]

was the yellow an ink? or watered down acrylic? counting the days......... :)

[@ThisPaintingLife]

ink

[@jaynedough130]

@@ThisPaintingLife thank you!

[@fatimagrocki386]

I enrolled in your Facebook group but my application is still pending. Could you please approve it? Thank you so much!

[@jennysmy1881]

What if you put a wax resist downfirst?

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I do like doing that sometimes - great fun!

[@karenburns3269]

Looks like you have been influenced by Lewis noble????

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I don't think so although I do like Lewis - we have such different approaches and styles

[@Wonderland8730]

Because I don't understand your language, please can you translate your videos into Greek as well? Thank you. ❤

[@maryannturney2383]

Wonderful demo

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Aww thank you Mary Ann ❤