This piece is the beginning of a custom painting I am doing for a friend. I attached four suminagashi painted papers to a canvas, all within the same color palettes, and will next be adding a quote across the top. I am more than pleased about how this piece turned out. The paper added structure to the canvas, which was a little loose to begin with. Now the canvas is taught, and ready to be finished.
I did some more suminagshi papers with my new art supplies as well. These turned out brighter and more effective, because of the new paper I used. I used newsprint paper, which is made to absorb ink more effectively. I also used some of my new iridescent inks, which add a nice dimension to the prints. I think I am going to attach these pieces to a canvas, and make a full painting from multiple suminagashi prints.
This 9*12 paper was dipped in the same water bath, suminagashi style, except with water-thinned acrylic paints, as opposed to inks. I didn't like how it turned out, so I flipped the paper over and tried again. As it was drying, I added drops of the paint straight to the paper, along with isopropyl alcohol, removing and adding layers until I was happy. I then tilted the paper, let some of the paint drip and run off, and then placed the paper on an incline to dry.
I did some more suminagashi marbled papers, this time adding crushed charcoal to the water before dipping the papers. It added a cool textural element, that looks similar to coffee grounds. I just need to get some spray fixative, so I can adhere the charcoal powder and continue with the pieces. I think I may start offering these papers to collage artists and other artists who use designed papers in their work. I would like to collaborate with multiple artists, to combine the talents of two or more artists in a single piece.
This piece was done on a 9*12 mixed media, 98 pound paper, which is the paper I use for acrylic. I started with a suminagashi layer with water thinned acrylic paints, instead of the acrylic inks I usually use. I did a light layer, but the acrylics can be made as bright as the inks. I then dripped black ink across the page in multiple layers, blotting each with a paper towel, except the last one, this removed some of the ink, while adding a small amount of texture from the paper towel pattern.
More suminagashi marbled papers. What do you think? Should I keep these as is, or should I add something on top and use them as a background?
I spent a few hours making more suminagashi marbled papers. I had so much fun with it, and it didn't use as much ink as I initially thought it would. If you have any inks and blank papers, give this technique a try, it is a blast. I can't wait to figure out what to put on top of some of these awesome papers. I need a little more practice getting the inks to appear bright and saturated, like some of them turned out. I think the trick is to create the marbling and dip the paper quickly, before the ink starts to sink into the water.
This new technique I tried today is fantastic. It is called suminagashi, also known as water marbeling. Ink is dropped onto the surface of a water bath, and then paper is dipped into it to pick up the patterns. It is beautiful and completely abstract. I am working on a bunch tonight and post more soon.
