THE PENNING OF INK PAINTINGS
By Dmitri Valone, Artist and member, D’art Gallery Denver
My artistic journey began at Metro State University in the late 1990’s, where I initially pursued studies in cosmology. However, it was during this time that I rediscovered my true passion for art. After completing my degree in fine arts-painting, I decided to move to East Coast in order to further explore the world of oil painting and immerse myself in the vibrant artistic community Boston had to offer. Over the course of two decades, I dedicated myself to honing my skills as a painter, delving into various techniques and styles, and building a clientele that greatly enriched my life.
However, life has a funny way of leading us back to where it all started, and a few years back, I found myself back in Denver, the city that initially ignited my artistic path. It was during this period that I experienced a strong longing to push the boundaries of my creativity and uncover novel ways to express myself. By sheer coincidence, I stumbled upon the medium of inks and water, and it completely reshaped my artistic perspective.
This newfound discovery opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me as an artist. Ink and water allowed me to tap, pun intended, into a more intuitive and instinctual way of painting, enabling me to convey emotions and ideas on canvas in a way that I had never been able to achieve with oils. The fluidity and unpredictability of this medium added an element of excitement and spontaneity to my work, pushing me to explore new techniques and experiment with different inks and their effects. It was a truly transformative experience that reignited my passion for art and propelled me into a new phase of my artistic journey.
The process of working with inks and water is a captivating experience that demands my full attention and engagement. As I combine the fluidity of movement with the addition and subtraction of water and color, I am able to shape and direct the artwork to a certain extent. However, the natural world exerts its own influence, introducing an element of unpredictability. The interplay between gravity and heat causes the water to shift and evaporate, leaving its mark on the final piece. This constant interaction between the materials and the environment creates a sense of anticipation and excitement, as I am never quite certain how the artwork will evolve. It is through this delicate balance between spontaneity and control that I embark on an endless voyage of discovery, constantly surprised by the unexpected results that emerge.
Many people inquire if my artwork is created using watercolors. It can be difficult to tell the difference between colored ink paintings and watercolor paintings because they look similar. However, there are unique qualities to each medium when it comes to how they are applied and used. Inks behave differently and require different techniques due to their distinct properties (See: A very quick history of Ink below).
In my process, I utilize cups of water on Yupo paper, which is a synthetic paper known for its durability. Instead of using brushes, I directly apply ink into the water, relying on hot lights and a slightly tilted table to control the movement of each distinct artwork. Again, I am never quite certain how the artwork will evolve but this is the control I do possess. Once the process begins, it requires constant attention for several hours or until the water has mostly evaporated, finally revealing the finished piece.
A very quick history of ink: The origins of ink can be traced back to China and Egypt roughly 2500 BC, where the first writing ink was made using carbon particles or lamp black for black pigment and vegetable oil or animal glues as a vehicle for color. Despite the passage of time, the basic composition of ink remains largely unchanged. Ink is still composed mainly of dye, a medium, and often includes additional additives which can be different from water colors.
Behind the Painting
The exact formulation of writing ink is a well-kept secret among modern day manufacturers, making it difficult to obtain precise information about its ingredients. While pigments exhibit a relatively consistent behavior, dyes, on the contrary, possess a sense of individuality, with their own peculiarities and distinctive traits.
This is precisely why I create ink swatches. This is among my favorite and most crucial steps in creating my works, this practice is often overlooked. With a single company offering over seven hundred colors in their catalogue the process of blending these inks to create a new color for my work brings me immense joy that cannot be expressed in words. This is where the magic begins, where my ideas start to manifest-Dmitri