Is it random or is it planned? The tricks of inkblot art.
Channel: Kim Diaz Holm
Date: 2023-02-10

People always ask if my inkblot monsters are truly random, or if I plan them out before I start drawing. And while random inkblot art is, as the name suggests, truly random at heart, I have found that with experience I can plan the art and manipulate the ink with my brush. But the the exercise becomes quite different when you do. 

In this video I draw two different ink monsters to illustrate the different approaches. The first one random, and the second a pre-decided troll.

While drawing with ink and brush I try to weigh the pros and cons, and also dive a little bit into troll art, the difference between Norwegian and Swedish trolls, and the art of Theodor Kittelsen,  Erik Werenskiold, and John Bauer.

Even if you don't own any ink or a brush, you can apply your imagination to these techniques in any medium, digitally, with crayons, pencils, chalk on sidewalks, or even lines in the sand. 

It's equally suited for 5 year olds as for 5 year veterans. Try it out, it's fun. 

All the original art in this video is or will be made available for free use under a Creative Commons Attribution License at: https://denungeherrholm.smugmug.com/Other-Arts/Daily-Ink-Monsters/


THE TOOLS I USE:
All these tools are things I use myself. That being said, there’s so many great brands, big and small, that produce amazing alternatives, and you can also get them from other stores than Amazon. However, if you use the affiliate links below, I get a small cut. 

All of the sets recommended below will include color or brush variations that might be superfluous. I tend to buy both sets and individual items, because I like the flexibility. But on a budget, just get the one item you need. 

Daler-Rowney Aquafine Synthetic Brush Set: https://amzn.to/4a7WLyb
(Round Brush size 4 most important)

Manuscript Chinese Calligraphy Goat Hair Brush set:https://amzn.to/4bT5QfD 

Pentel Color Brush Black: https://amzn.to/48slfk9 

Pentel Color Brush Set: https://amzn.to/42TRVBX 

Pentel Color Brush Black Refill: https://amzn.to/3uNuvl9 

Talens Indian Ink: https://amzn.to/49pf1D0 

Talens Ecoline Liquid Water Color Set: https://amzn.to/49ryG5l 

Dr. Ph Martin’s Radiant Liquid Watercolor Set: https://amzn.to/49ss8n6 

Golden High Flow Acrylics Black: https://amzn.to/48tY9cZ

Golden Fluid Acrylic White: https://amzn.to/49PDSzD 

Golden Fluid Acrylic Set: https://amzn.to/49LEFBJ 

Fabriano Sketching paper, can hold some ink: https://amzn.to/49ryT8D

Fabriano Hot-Press Watercolor paper: https://amzn.to/431Huws 

Fabriano Cold-Press Watercolor paper: https://amzn.to/3wwUQo8 

Faber-Castell B3 Graphite Pencil: https://amzn.to/3IdCYkH 



BOOKS & INSPIRATION:
I’ve learned to draw from a lot of books, most of them on drawing and penciling comics. But the two most important for my own artistic journey were probably: 

How To Draw Comics The Marvel Way: https://amzn.to/3IghYtS 

Bridgman’s Complete guide To Drawing From Life: https://amzn.to/3IeUd5f 
(I’m not satisfied with the print, but great book still)

None of them have to do with inking directly with a brush, but they lay the groundwork for most of what I do.