Uplifting transformation with pigment ink
The uplifting transformation with pigment ink is fully on display at this stage of creating ‘Red Playground No. 8 and 9’. Indeed, the ink brings cohesion to the developing batik-like appearance, particularly after the introduction of blue Inktense.
Pigment pens, well known for permanence and archival qualities, produce clear, crisp lines. They aptly help counterbalance the strength of the pointers within the four quadrants of the works. Thereby, the strong confrontational feel found in the earlier work, ‘Red Playground-Finish What you Started’ is softened.
Pigment ink pens clog
As written about in my earlier post,“The 4 Problems I Solved Creating on Really Rough Paper”, one consequence from the extreme pretreatment of the watercolour paper was that Inktense strayed outside of graphite boundaries.
Accordingly, to avoid further stressing the paper with too much fluid, I opted to apply stronger concentrations of Inktense.
Even though I’d taken extra care to fully dissolve the Inktense block in water, the pigment pen nibs were clogged by the powdery excess from the thicker yellow Inktense. Eventually, all of my .4mm pens became clogged. Thereby, I switched to a size .6mm with a greater ink flow to resolve the problem.
How pigment Ink transformed Red Playground No. 8 and No. 9
Pigment pen uplifts and transforms the Inktense designs by better grounding them. Both works feature some confrontational elements, which adds a sense of cohesiveness between the two works, as well as to the earlier, ‘Red Playground-Finish What You Started’.
Outlining every single one of the small shapes of Red Playground No. 8 consumed over an hour.
‘Red Playground No. 9’, which now reminds me of a Tiffany-lamp shade, and took another hour to get to this point.
Was pigment ink on these works worthwhile?
Before adding pigment both works had a gentle batik feel. Nonetheless, I like the radiance and clarity given them by the pigment ink lines. Therefore, sacrificing out all my clogged .4mm pens was worthwhile.
Both works are vibrant, as is their companion, the earlier work, ‘Red Playground-Finish What You Started’. However, ‘Red Playground No. 8 and 9’ have a rough texture, making it difficult to give them a similar three-dimensional form. I’ve devised a way to express form. Hence, you can find out about that by clicking on the next blogpost below.
The properties of pigment ink
At the outset of my abstract journey, I chose to limit myself to the art supplies I had on hand, including an assortment of pigment ink pens. I used them at the start of making abstracts several years ago, consequently, I’ve grown to appreciate their properties.
The online site, Fine Art Tutorials summarises the difference between pigment ink and other kinds of art markers, which can be read by clicking here. I get no compensation of any kind for you clicking the link or buying anything from there site. Indeed, I simply want to be helpful to my readers.
