Ink, bleach and chilli jars

By Susie Hartley

In last week's autumn art class, participants engaged in creating vegetable drawings using ink and bleach.

I prepared jars containing chilies and various peppers, along with a viewfinder to help students focus on specific areas, as beginning can often be overwhelming.

I also displayed a board featuring a selection of sketches and provided guidance on the potential of the materials. I discussed:

The interaction between ink and bleach can produce a range of effects, including golden, neon, smoky blue, and beige brown hues. 

Utilizing various techniques, such as applying vertical strips, drawing with a blade, sponging, spraying, and using a feather for drawing, can create remarkable patterns.

The blending of water to reveal hidden colors allows students to explore the behavior and reaction of different mediums.

Some ink will remain after bleaching, resulting in a beautiful texture. 

The students thoroughly appreciated this lesson, and each of them produced remarkable pieces to take home.