Playing with Acrylic Inks and texture

Last year Deb Townsend demonstrated how she uses tissue paper and acrylic medium to create interesting textures and patterns on canvas. I was fascinated and recently bought some small canvases to try out the technique for myself.

Once the tissue paper is stuck down and dry, gesso is applied over the top to give a good painting surface and also add more texture. I used acrylic inks to add vibrant colour.

The design is inspired by Deb's original work, but the colours were my own. My son likes it so much he wants it, and two more in different colours for his room!

Spring Forest
8" x 8", acrylic inks and collage on canvas

Beach Pebbles

My second play with acrylic inks, this time with a wider range of colours at my disposal. There was a challenge on paintingfriends.com to draw with ink, and without lifting the pen from the paper (known as "contour drawing"). I decided to combine it with an experiment in glazing with acrylic inks.

The results aren't bad! I like the colours and the inks act almost in the same way as watercolours, with the main difference being the inability to lift colours once dry!

Beach Pebbles, Acrylic ink on watercolour paper, 9 x 7.5 inches