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Drawing with Ink and Bleach

2/12/2013

11 Comments

 
Over the last couple of weeks I've been experimenting with using ink and bleach to draw with. I'm using black ink, and once it touches the bleach it transforms into a glorious golden colour. Using different types of brush, sponging, spraying and drawing with a feather creates amazing effects and I have to confess to being ever so slightly obsessed with this 'new to me' technique! All of the photos below have just happened by chance - nothing was planned.....
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My favourite! Lights in the distance, Golden Gate Bridge? It really came to life after I added the three vertical strips which were the ring binder edges of the sketchbook page.
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Weaving with paper - 2/1 twill
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All of the above were created on paper, the first three are on plain white cartridge paper. The last ones are on K9 white board and I've combined the bleach and ink technique with drawing with a blade, you can see the score marks which the ink collects and pools into. I've also added some black stitch.  These are based on beach scenes.
Playing with amounts of ink and bleach and the order you put them down changes the way they react with each other - the first ones are very brown and gold, the last few are smoky blue and beigey brown. It's worth experimenting!
11 Comments
Steve
6/12/2013 01:25:11

Fascinating and creative. Love them. It may be my imagination but I can see lots of faces in the patterns on Weaving with paper - 2/1 twill Spooky!! xx

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Linda McKeen
7/12/2013 07:06:07

Thank you Steve, they are fun to do. I can see an upright lion with gloves on in one bit!

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Diane Baldessari
13/11/2019 16:15:12

Are you using straight or diluted bleach?

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Linda
16/11/2019 16:30:06

Undiluted bleach Diane, also it has to be indelible ink. I use Parker black.
Linda

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Diane Baldessari
25/10/2021 19:49:28

Thank you, this looks so interesting.

Elli link
24/12/2020 17:04:57

Great read thankyouu

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NAKKIE DEETLEFS
25/10/2021 14:38:58

cant find ANY colors in PARKER ANS PELIKAN in South Africa's stores

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Amy
1/3/2024 11:30:41

Quink ink works as well.

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Debbie Barnard
10/5/2023 11:19:11

Hi, how archival are bleach and ink art if you want to sell it? Is there a product with which one can seal it in order to preserve it more?

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Emma
30/1/2024 22:01:35

Hi Linda, I absolutely love these outcomes they are just so beautiful, the effects are stunning and so varied! As soon as I saw your post I went straight to my studio, however for some reason the ink I was using didn’t react to the bleach at all! I used black acrylic ink and diluted bleach but the ink just remained black. Do you have any advice on the types of ink that work with this method and the types that don’t? Just so I can know what to buy, and to advise to my students also!
Thank you so much :)

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Linda McKeen
31/1/2024 08:13:47

Hi Emma
Thank you for your kind comments.
The ink has to be indelible. I used Parker. Also only black gives these results, blue doesn’t seem to work so well. Bleach is undiluted but experiment with ratios. Good luck.
Linda @ the rose cottage studio

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    Linda McKeen

    Stitched Textiles and Mixed Media Art from The Rose Cottage Studio in beautiful rural Perthshire

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