I'm Chia Wald and this is my blog. Here is where I share my thoughts and my art. Sometimes it is good, sometimes it isn't. That's life... and that's me. Remember when walnut ink became popular? What was that, 2 or 3 years ago? Maybe longer? I loose track of time like you wouldn’t believe. Anyway, I was a long way from being the first person to rush out and buy a bottle but I did eventually find myself owning one. I got one that was pre-mixed and came in a bottle with a spray top.
I tried using it a few times and just wasn’t happy with the results so I shoved it to the back of the shelf and let myself forget about it. A couple of days ago I dragged it out and tried again. I was following the steps to a technique I found in a book but I still didn’t like it. I tried spritzing, sponging, dabbing, smearing, you-name-it. No matter what I do with it I end up thinking that it looks dull and drab.
I have seen beautiful images online where the artist says she/he used walnut ink and I’m more than a little confused. If you use walnut ink will you please, please tell me how you use it? Share some tips and tricks with us?
I’d share a picture with you of just how bad my items look but I threw them out almost as fast as they were done. Usually I hang on to mistakes and try to save them with a little reworking but these went straight to the trash bin.
Stumble it!
2 responses so far ↓
1 Shari Schneider // Oct 24, 2007 at 12:12 am
It’s odd that you should comment on this product today—maybe not so odd, since we probably read the same books and magazines!!! I too bought the liquid, spray bottle of pre-mixed Walnut Ink several years ago and never used it until TODAY!! I was trying to reproduce a technique that I read about in the new Somerset Workshop. The one that called for coffee stain on the bottom, then paint, then gesso and finally—the top layer Walnut Ink! So like you I pulled out the Walnut Ink. I sprayed it, I dabbed it, I sponged it too AND YUCK!! I didn’t know that Walnut Ink is Green and not Brown—or maybe mine is too old and the color is moldy. I finally watered it down (lots of water) and applied it like a wash. Then I wiped it away with a paper towel. Not a fabulous result but salvageable. It certainly did not look like the samples in the magazine!!! Please keep me informed if people email you to let you know how to use it. Maybe there is a simple trick to making it look great!!! I read (and enjoy) your blog all the time—I don’t usually comment but this post made me laugh and I thought that I’d come out of hiding!
-shari
luvs2design@aol.com
www.creativechatter.blogspot.com
2 chia // Oct 24, 2007 at 9:05 am
Hi Shari,
It sounds interesting so I’ll be on the lookout for it.
I’m so glad you decided to come out of hiding!
I haven’t seen the Somerset issue you are talking about yet, I’m always behind the times.
I sure hope a Walnut Ink expert will show up to give us some clues!
Leave a Comment