Original Ink Paintings

A Little History of Ink Painting

Ink painting has a long history which perhaps most famously goes back to the Tang Dynasty in China, when it was developed as a technique around 600-900 CE. It then was developed even further in China in the Song Dynasty (960–1279). Over this time, ink and wash paintings flourished further. In Japan, the Zen Buddhists introduced this form of art from the 14th century onwards. There is even evidence that ink art goes further back than that in Greek culture. Pieces such as The Abduction of Briseis show how this artform has been used to extremely high levels of expertise for almost two millennia.

Attractive Qualities of Ink

This form of painting has at the same time a delicacy and an intensity. The richness of the ink has a deeply attractive quality, and so it gives artists a fantastic opportunity to do something rather special. With swirling shapes, rich and luscious colours and a balance between the blank paper and the dark inks, this is art which reveals something new and pleasing each time you look at it. Artists can also use inks in an experssive way, working with the movement and flow of the ink or even letting it have a mind of it's own.

Gorgeous Colour Inks

The dual intensity and fluidity of inks make them quite similar to watercolours. As a result, many original ink paintings will have a quality to it which will be reminiscent of watercolour art. Although traditionally black or brown in colour, today you will also see that there is much to be explored in terms of colour ink art. These inks are applied using a dip pen and then this is used as the tool to paint the ink image onto the page.