I held my breath and peered at the perfect rice paper with my shaky fingers. That shiny plate of black ink seemed to call my brush to make the first move. My teacher, who was calm and confident, gently told me, “Just breathe.” Let your heart beat through your hand. The first fact is that ink painting isn’t about getting a better grip; it’s about letting go and embracing the beautiful mess. Full article for more information here!

Don’t waste your time looking for perfect lines. That first stroke of paint? It can have a mind of its own, going off course, being as thin as a wisp, and as stubborn as a breeze. Lines will go off course and hands will shake. There is no shame in it. Have fun with the funny dragons and wobbly bamboo forests. A mistake is like an unexpected invitation. A wild flick could transform into a bird’s spread wing, and a dripping blot could make a storm appear on the horizon.

Let’s talk about gear: The brush has a pointy tip and a soft, plump belly. The ink stone feels heavy in your hand, ready for the daily ritual. And then there’s water, which is as sneaky and unpredictable as a naughty cat. If you pour too much, your image will overflow down the page. If you don’t pour enough, the brush will scrape over the paper like dry branches. What do you think of the idea of total control? Like dust in a strong wind, it will be gone before you realize it.

Early bamboo will appear like asparagus that isn’t very good. Willow twigs? For breakfast, I might eat spaghetti mess. Don’t worry; everyone goes through this funny mix of anger and happiness at first. The true trick? Stop. Hey. Just notice how the brush flares and flows and how the ink runs and pools. That blank white paper? It isn’t empty; it’s slowly changing everything you’ve painted around it.

Some artists swear by a whispered chant before they start, while others swear by loud electric guitar. I’ve done everything. I once painted a stormy ocean while listening to blues music. The water almost started to tap its foot along.

Mistakes and failures are a normal part of the process. The ink appears to have its own stubborn plan some days. That’s when scrap paper comes in handy—doodle storms, dashes, puffs of cloud, or whatever else that comes to mind. It’s worth it since your hands learn things that your head might not.

Look for inspiration in the little things that happen every day. See how birds fly over power lines or how the sun changes the shadows on the sidewalk. That’s the next piece of art you’re working on. Write down your ideas as soon as they come to you. You can do this in a sketchbook, on old receipts, or on napkins. Put them away for later surprises.

Let them see your messy tries. They are the actual treasures of progress: awkward first tries, hopeful messes, and new beginnings. Every drop that goes wrong is a cheeky wink from your creative side, showing that you’re really developing something.

Don’t hold back the next time the brush goes into that inky pool. Don’t ask for the next great work of art. Enjoy the crazy marks, the strange results, and the small things that only happen when things go wrong. When you draw with ink, think of it as coloring beyond the lines with a smile. Sometimes, all you need is a little push to say, “Let’s see what happens,” and produce something delightfully and happily imperfect.