For the last four years or so, starting with Monsoon Papers, I’ve been working with ink, using it instead of paint. Then I developed this fun ink drop technique for backgrounds for found poetry or as part of a collage. This is what the completed piece looks like:
Quinn’s ink technique in three colors.
Part of the thrill of making these pieces is seeing the ink move. And the only way to show you that is with a video:
I can spend an inordinate amount of time developing these. And yes, they are in the upcoming book.
—Quinn McDonald is actually starting to do videos. And liking them.
QuinnCreative 
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This is really cool. I want to give it a try!
It’s fun. And endlessly amusing.
Hi there. Fun technique. What spray did you use to move the stuck ink?
Distilled water.
Put your paper on an old turntable (portable record players are best if you can find one) and set the speed to the lowest it will go. Some of the players had 16 rpm which gives you some neat spirals. Faster RPMs give you more of a burst pattern. Keep playing!
What a fun idea!
What is “pigment ink”? Is that watercolor paper? I don’t think I have the patience to wait for the book to come out.
There are two kinds of ink we think of first–dye ink (like fountain pen ink or most Higgins inks that are transparent) and pigment ink (acrylic ink with color created by particles. This is Acrylic Ink and hence, made with pigments. It’s the pigment pieces that zap out on the surface of the water. And yes, the paper is 140-pound cold press watercolor paper by Strathmore.
I like your video(s?) too, it’s fun to hear your voice! I did some videos for my workshop and I HATE hearing my own voice… the accent, the ‘tone’, the ‘sharpness’… brrr… but sometimes it’s necessary to show a technique, I know. I’m glad you like making videos and I love the ink technique you show here!
In truth, Marit, it took me three years to get to this point. I am with you on all of your fears. But ooohhhhh, that ink!
Really love how the ink moves on the water! And to think I’ve been blowing it through a straw all this time…
A whole new world for you.
I loved that beautiful BURST! 🙂 What fun!–will have to try.
You’ll love it!
OK, tomorrow I’m playing with ink!
Let us know what happens.
Thanks for sharing, this looks so much fun! I’ll have to try.
It IS fun, and you can tilt the paper for all sorts of effects.
Amazing how fast it spreads! Almost instantly. I have to try this someday soon. I think I have some pigment inks somewhere.