Connections - painted in ink and tea

I have recently completed the painting 'connections', created by meditating on the importance of real world connections. This painting is currently being shown as part of the Face 2 Face exhibition in London's Hackney borough. The exhibition brings together both established and emerging artists together in a collaborative space with live painting events, have a go workshops and performances.

You can get a print of this piece half price via my kickstarter project (be quick 7 day offer) https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/carnegriffiths/connections-a-real-world-project-painted-with-ink-and-tea

The painting, created using ink and tea, contains imagery from the natural world, elements of dialogue, motifs intertwining and connecting us, and most importantly elements of chance and chaos to convey the importance of freedom and connection in the real world.

The piece pictures a woman staring wistfully out from the painting, contemplating, searching for answers and emotional connection. She is trying to make sense of the world that she lives in by absorbing the chaos around her and blending it into something meaningful.

Ink, Tea, Graphite, Watercolour Paper

starting out with a loose and open graphite sketch

lossely add ink details (which will be disturbed by liquids in the next step)

throw and splash water over the ink marks from the previous step to give dynamic marks, blow the water be loose and let things fall where they may.

using a meditative approach allow yourself to freely add pen marks whilst simultaneously being conscious about overall tone.

build up layers of marks to define tone within the piece

Scan and archive your finished work (you will thank yourself for this later)