It was all right here, all along… Ink Studies: Incense and Sage Ash, Organic Blue-Green Superfood, Organic Hibiscus Tea, Tung Oil, and Filtered Water.
I set up materials for the study: Incense and Sage Ash, Organic Blue-Green Superfood, Hibiscus Tea, Tung Oil, Water, some writing implements, paper napkins, and watercolor paper.
I collected ash from an incense holder I cleaned recently. I am using a little of what was inside here and have the intention to make a composite material with the remainder.
The incense and sage ash combined with water produces the light brown wash that can be smoothed out by adding more water to the brush and paper, similar to watercolor pigments.
Triquetra sells an organic supplement, Blue-Green Superfood, composed of 50% Spirulina and 50% Chlorella. In a small dish, I ground three of these tablets into algae powder. I apply the algae to the surface of the paper like the ash, with water on a brush.
For the hibiscus tea ink, I boil tea leaves and filtered water until the majority of the water evaporates. I remove the tea leaves and store them for another time. I appreciate the way Hibiscus Tea and water appear on paper. As the material absorbs, the color transitions from light pink to lavender. When more material is applied, the ink color retains saturation, and less oxidation occurs.
Water-based washes.
Tung Oil Inks. I drip oil into the ink and mix these with a toothpick. I appreciate the heightened saturation, ability to build up a thicker layer of ink, and texture created by the paper when the brush has less ink on it.
Hibiscus Tea, Tung Oil
Algae, Tung Oil
Incense and Sage Ash, Tung Oil
I considered a number of mark-making tools for this study, however, I never utilized the blender. It would be interesting to see the blender applied to paper with the ash and algae.
I use Hope’s 100% Pure Tung Oil, a non-toxic oil made from the nut of a Tung tree. I am very aware of materials what I am putting into the environment, so I prepared another container to hold all of the Tung Oil soaked napkins and toothpicks from mixing. I also contain the remainder of the unused oil for another time. While Tung Oil is non-toxic and safe for the environment, it can be flammable. I store the waste in an air tight container, and avoid contact with skin. I recommend looking at the SDS sheet if you choose to utilize the product.
I appreciate all of the inks and I can see many applications for each.
After reflecting on the purpose of incense and how I utilize them, I've decided that the ink ash and oil is one of the most profound combinations of media an artist could use. So, I addressed an envelope containing something very meaningful inside with the rest of the media from this study. I am looking forward to seeing what the recipient says in response, if anything.