Evidently, I can do more than carry snacks with my left hand as I paint. That concludes the first lesson. The teacher threw out rice paper, professional ink painting training, and a brush. I had the sensation of being an apprentice magician about to conjure something out of thin air. The initial stroke frightened me. Rather than the graceful bamboo stem I had envisioned, it resembled a frightened caterpillar. Three seats distant, someone laughed. I made fun of myself.
The day’s finest “mistake” occurred, though, shortly after. The ink ran. Spread. Tarted up. Instead of being terrified, I became enthralled. Not micromanaging every detail brings a tremendous sensation of liberation. The teacher referred to it as “embracing the flow” and smiled. That expression lingered. Ink painting, it seems, isn’t all about accuracy. The key is to release. That idea would make my high school math teacher pass out.
At initially, it was uncomfortable to blend in with the seasoned artists. It was as graceful as a conductor waving a baton while some people wiped their brushes. Conversely, my elbows were covered with ink. Jeans that I own. Upper left brow. Nevertheless, nobody gave a damn. The chaos added to the enjoyment. The words “don’t overthink it” were murmured by a classmate. The paintbrush can dance. It was the finest piece of advice I had all day.
The procedure follows a regular pattern. Breathe, dip, and sketch. Keep an eye on things. Shapes began to emerge in my blunders. A tree-shaped line became a bird’s back. A puddle formed from a fallen splotch. All of a sudden, the picture began to convey its own narrative, and all I could do was observe. Similar like keeping an eye on the sky in the hopes of seeing a dragon or a puppy. Unexpected turns appeared at every turn.
As I worked my way through the painting, my fingertips becoming smeared, it hit me: this wasn’t supposed to be a snapshot. Emotion, ink, and fortunate coincidences were the ingredients. The freedom to let the brush decide on things you didn’t anticipate is liberating. It’s like leaping in a puddle, but for art.
You should definitely enroll in an ink painting class if the opportunity presents itself. Socks will do. Bring an inquisitive mindset. Also, get ready for some hilarious ink adventures. Not only will you get a piece of paper, but you will also gain a fresh perspective on the power of chaos.