INTRODUCTION

I’m standing in front of a myriad of tiny mysterious bottles and tubes, and I have no idea how to use them. I feel irresistibly drawn to the medium, their allure promising endless possibilities.

But I’m feeling overwhelmed by the choices and the prices of the materials. I also have an unsettling notion in my mind that to create a good piece of art, I must combine the finest art materials in some special secret manner only professionals would know of. Which is, of course, totally false—creating is all about your personality, dedication, and practice.

And then I saw inks.

Just one bottle of violet ink, one brush, and that was it! For the price of a cup of coffee, I had a golden key to a whole new world I could never imagine.

That was me in an art store in St. Petersburg, Russia, many years ago. I was studying publishing and avidly absorbing all the art practice advice I could get. Strolling along the streets, I soaked up the artistic atmosphere in both the State Hermitage Museum and the Dostoevsky district. I could stare at Ilya Repin’s painting Sadko in the Underwater Kingdom for so long it made the museum steward suspiciously question my intentions. I still practice the same behavior in Berlin’s Museum Island nowadays.

Since that time, my work has evolved and bloomed, but surprisingly, the very core of my style hasn’t changed. And that’s the most incredible news for any artist—your personal style, your unique voice, is already there, right from the very beginning.

I hope this book inspires you to try new things and discover what you love. If drawing fine lines doesn’t make you feel comfortable (even after lots and lots of practice), have no fear! There are tons of art styles and mediums to help you express yourself even better, more suitable to your character and personality, like bold and loose abstraction, collage, printing, lettering, photography, bookbinding, crafting, creative writing, or digital painting.

In this book, you’ll focus your attention on the creative use of colored inks. You’ll explore a variety of materials and techniques that will help you get familiar with the medium and bring your ideas to life. You’ll draw flowers and birds inspired by the natural world and then move on to people and objects. Playing with vivid colors and shimmering special effects, you’ll discover the world of fashion and still life.

Do you want to unlock your imagination? Create an illustrated accordion book version of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. With room to experiment, what could be more fulfilling? I’m also thrilled to share a monotype technique with you. You’ll create a unique piece in minutes, even without any experience.

Feel free to jump in anywhere in the book. If you can regularly devote just a few minutes to practicing some of the lessons from the book, I guarantee you’ll feel immediate improvement in your art techniques.

You’ll be amazed by the things you can create. Cherish your individuality—that’s what the art world needs from you!