Cover Image: Brilliant Inks

Brilliant Inks

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

"Brilliant Inks: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating in Vivid Color" by Anna Sokolova is a visually stunning and informative guide for artists looking to explore the world of vibrant inks. Sokolova's expertise and passion for working with color shine through in this well-structured book. With clear instructions and vivid illustrations, she offers readers a comprehensive journey into the art of using inks to create striking and colorful works of art.

One of the book's notable strengths is its emphasis on technique. Sokolova provides detailed step-by-step instructions for various ink applications, from washes and gradients to intricate detailing. Her guidance is clear and concise, making it accessible to artists of different skill levels. The inclusion of practical exercises allows readers to practice and refine their skills, ensuring they can confidently apply the techniques in their own artwork.

The visuals in "Brilliant Inks" are a true highlight. Sokolova's artwork is vibrant and captivating, showcasing the potential of using inks to create vivid and dynamic pieces. Her illustrations serve as both inspiration and instruction, allowing readers to see the techniques in action. Additionally, the book's layout and design are well-executed, making it easy to follow along and refer back to specific sections.

While the book provides a thorough exploration of working with inks, some readers may have appreciated a more in-depth discussion on color theory and the psychology of color. Additionally, a broader range of artistic styles and approaches would have added even more diversity to the techniques covered. Nonetheless, "Brilliant Inks" is a valuable resource for artists interested in expanding their creative horizons with the use of vibrant inks. Anna Sokolova's expertise and passion for the subject make this book an excellent addition to any artist's library.

I was provided an advanced copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

A pretty book that let me get lost for a bit to be creative. I enjoy all books of this sort and would be happy to have this in my collection. I like books I can look at just for inspiration.

Was this review helpful?

Great all in one guide to using inks, easy to understand and full of ideas too.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publishers for access to this book.

Was this review helpful?

'Brilliant Inks is an excellent, practical guide to exploring the ink medium.
I particularly found this book valuable as there are scant resources on working in inks.
This book is highly recommended, useful for projects at home or in the classroom.

Was this review helpful?

"Brilliant Inks" is an art instruction book on using inks, mainly with brushes. The author started by describing the different types of ink (acrylic, alcohol, etc.) and some tips about using them. She also talked about other materials (paper, brushes, ink droppers, dip pens, markers, etc.) and briefly covered basic concepts like color mixing. She then described some techniques for using inks (washes, spattering, etc.) and included step-by-step exercises for several of these techniques. She then had exercises that combined these skills, with step-by-step instructions and illustrations on how to paint a rose, mushrooms, butterfly, stylized bird, red panda, distant people, portrait, fashion figure, map, pomegranate, and dessert. She then had step-by-step directions for making several crafts: a cork bracelet, clay horse, alcohol ink "tie-dyed" tote, and accordion book of illustrations.

I've been painting with watercolors for years, so it was easy for me to understand her instructions as there were many similarities. She only briefly talked about alcohol ink markers, and she didn't seem to have the same problems with using them that I do so she didn't include tips that would help improve my results. However, I did find the ink selection and techniques part useful to help me use inks in my own painting projects. Overall, I'd recommend this resource to artists interested in painting with inks.

Was this review helpful?

Very informative and beatiful book about ink painting, introduces to the materials, techniques, gives basic color theory notions and includes exercises.
Much of this is applicable to watercolor, but I have not found any confrontatiion between the two mediums, In my opinion it should be useful to know why and when use inks instead of watercolor or eventually how to combine them, Beside working on watercolor paper there are step by step tutorials for decorating objects (cork bracelet and clay sclupture),

Was this review helpful?

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. When I have some free time I absolutely want to try the craft ideas in this book.

Was this review helpful?

This book tries to be a nice compendium of working with various inks and how to make art your own. I wanted to look at the samples and maybe how they artist made their shapes. It was very informative, bright, colorful, and good information, especially if you have not worked in inks before. It was easy to understand so overall it works.

Was this review helpful?

A whimsical guide to all sorts of inks, and the different ways an artist can use them. Does not touch on the trending use of alcohol inks, which is a little disappointing.

Was this review helpful?

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)

This was a fun read! Covered a number of techniques and tutorials. Makes me want to buy some ink and start experimenting.

Was this review helpful?

This is a highly inspiring and motivating book, it offers techniques and advice for the budding artists among us, This book helps us draw and recreate in ink traditionally tricky subjects such as figures, alongside more abstract pieces such as using leaves to create one of a kind works of art.

I found the images to be contemporary, the step by step guides to be easy to follow and the techniques to be varied enough to appeal to a great range of reader.

The fact that this book concluded with 5 bespoke and varied projects was an absolute bonus - the abstract alcohol ink tote being next on my list!

Overall this is a craft book I will be sure to use lots and one that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend very highly.

My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.

Was this review helpful?

Beautifully illustrated, informative and inspiring, Brilliant Inks is an organized guide to mastering the art of painting with colored ink. Whether you plan to use a brush or a pen, all the techniques you need to know are included. I like the exercises suggested so you can see and feel how different strokes result in different effects. Lessons follow: birds, butterflies, flowers, leaves, designs and more. Finally, there are projects. With detailed instructions, Sokolova shows how to create a cuff bracelet, make a horse sculpture, decorate a tote, and create an accordion book.

Brilliant Inks is a joy to read with paintings that fly off the page with their vibrant colors. Anna Sokolova has also included an invaluable list of resources: her online classes, online art communities and a link to copyright free photos. Enjoy! 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Quarto Publishing Group and Anna Sokolova for this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Brilliant Inks is a breathtaking book filled with well written tutorials. The pictures were excellent and the instructions were easy to follow. I highly suggest this book. it would make an awesome gift for any artist interested in trying inks.

Was this review helpful?

Do You want to discover inks?
"Brilliant Inks. A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating in Vivid Color - Draw, Paint, Print, and More!" was created by Anna Sokolova and published by Quarto Publishing Group – Quarry.
The book is divided into seven parts: 1) All Things Color Ink, 2) Basic Techniques and Beyond, 3) Florals and Nature, 4) Animals and Birds, 5) Figures, Portraits, and Fashion, 6) Still Life, and 7) Projects. I really appreciate that Sokolova presents the different kinds of inks and list also the materials used for her lessons. Sokolova states: "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" (p. 8). This book focuses on the creative use of colored inks. It helps artists to explore a variety of materials and techniques that will help them to get familiar with the medium and bring their ideas to life. The artists can draw flowers and birds that are inspired by the natural world and then move on to people and objects (p. 9).
The book has a great design, comes with tips throughout the book, offers templates (sadly they cannot be downloaded), resources and an index. I recommend this book for beginners and advanced artists who are interested in using inks as a means in their art.
The complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley free of charge. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#BrilliantInks #Netgalley

Was this review helpful?

Brilliant Inks is a colorful well written tutorial guide for artists by Anna Sokolova in the Art for Modern Makers series. Due out 5th July 2022 from Quarto on their Quarry imprint, it's 128 pages and will be available in paperback format.

This is such a colorfully inspiring and useful book. All of the pages are enhanced with gorgeously rendered botanicals, butterflies, and nature scenes. The author has an informal writing style that is encouraging and never intimidating. It reads like a well written masterclass one-on-one. The books chapters are arranged thematically with later techniques building on earlier lessons. She begins with the absolute basics; introducing tools and supplies, inks, paper, etc. I liked that she doesn't push one particular brand or specific equipment (brand labels are figleafed in the photos). She's fairly specific about which *types* of inks give specific results, but she also encourages readers to experiment and discover and innovate on their own as well.

The tutorial chapters are full of clear color step-by-step photos. I appreciate that the photography stylist was clearly good at their job and the photos are easy to decipher, without hands or other items in the way of the action. The range of the tutorials is impressive and the author has included some really beautiful portraiture here which will keep artists of -all- levels of expertise challenged and learning. Her use of negative space, shading, and light effects is masterful.

Five stars. This is one for the artist's home studio library reference shelf. It would also make a superlative choice for public or school library acquisition, makers' spaces, and similar.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Was this review helpful?

A gorgeous illustrated art instruction book about painting with ink. I loved the colors and photographs contained throughout. It features a variety of projects include step-by-step instructions. A perfect guide for the beginner or someone looking to expand their skillset.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you #NetGalley, #QyarryBooks for letting me read #BrilliantInks by #AnnaSokolova.

This book gives you a lot of guidance when learning about using ink to make art. It is filled with art techniques as well as examples on what your projects could look like. There are step by step illustrations that go with each lesson. All from nature, animals, fashion and portraits, just to name a few.

Was this review helpful?

This book is perfect for anyone who wants to start creating with ink. There is information about types of ink and paper, as well as techniques and fun projects to complete. These projects may work for beginners and those who are more advanced as well. There are also templates for people to use, especially if they are not confident in their artist skills. I am especially excited about learning to work with acrylic inks and this book will be a great help for those kind of projects. I would recommend this for anyone who is interested in learning more about working with ink.

Was this review helpful?

This is a beautiful book with step by step and illustrations that guide your process. The pictures are done in a way that is easy to follow and makes you feel like you can get into an art project no matter what your skill level. The templates at the end of the book were helpful and definitely inspiring to the reader!

Was this review helpful?

This book showcased a variety of techniques for working with inks, but especially highlighted ways to simplify a piece while still retaining the essence of the subject. This is a very useful skill, especially when working small and with delicate media. It also stressed the importance of color palettes and ways to combine color most effectively in an ink piece.

I wasn't terribly interested in recreating most of the projects, but they did inspire me to think of other uses for each technique - many of which I had previously been unfamiliar with - so I definitely feel like it was a useful book for me.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Quarry Books for providing an e-arc for review.

Was this review helpful?