As Kermit the frog once said, “It ain’t easy being green.” And as a moderator for a group, sometimes, it ain’t easy deciding what “goes in, and what stays out.”

  On the subject of submissions, we’ve had to turn down quite a few lately; which is painful, because the work has really been good! I thought it best to address this in a journal so that everyone would understand why.

  In toto, this is a traditional black ink group, which means, we feature artwork rendered by traditional methods, be it with brush, quill, ball-point pen, marker, fingers, toes, whatever you use to make marks on paper, as long as it was dipped or slid in black ink! We don’t care in that regard. Heck, I’ve used all of the above (ummm…except the toes) on the same piece of work when experimenting with different applicators.

  That, quite frankly, is why this group was founded. Which means, of course, that we do not include work done with anything else. Unfortunately, a lot of good work doesn’t get accepted because of this very strict criteria. But this does allow us to maintain very high standards, which our other members and watchers have come to expect.

  We do not accept work done with ink and color, or pencil, or pastel, or any other mixed medium. If it features color, it will not pass the submission process, period. However…there is one exception, and that is when the artist has included small amounts of white, either for stars or highlights to clean up a line or to bring attention to a certain area. Then, a submission is judged on a case-by-case basis. If your work includes more added white than black (as perceived by the eye) then it will be turned down. Again, the final decision is more subjective than objective.  

  While we are talking ink, let’s look at digital inking. I love digital ink. I’ve practiced inking digitally myself, and admire those who do so. It’s a discipline all in itself that takes a while to get the hang of, however…here at MoShui, we don’t include digitally rendered, inked pieces because…well, this is a traditional ink group. Again, that means that we have had to turn down some wonderfully rendered digital pieces in the past. On that note, if you have done a traditional ink drawing, and added digital texture, it will probably be rejected, also.

  Now, let’s look at quality. Recently, we have had some pieces submitted that met all of the qualifications listed above, but were poorly scanned or photographed which were not accepted. Think about it this way; when someone comes across your work here, we want them to click through to your gallery to view the rest of your creations. If what they encounter here is a fuzzy reproduction that makes it hard to see what they are looking at, they probably will not do so. In the public market-place, you want to present your work in the best possible fashion. Scanners are cheap. If you still can’t afford one, do some research about how to photograph your art in regards to set up, lighting, etc. That will go a long way in helping to present your work properly.

  That’s about it.

  We value every member that has taken the time to join MoShui. Our sole intention here is to showcase Deviant Artists who have an interest in traditional black ink, whether in creating pieces with the medium, or who simply want to learn more about the process by exposure to those who do so.

  Take some time to browse through the galleries here. In them, you will find artists who have been working with ink for decades; seasoned professionals who make their living through ink. You will also find many other members who have dedicated themselves to learning the techniques and applications which make ink such a demanding, yet versatile medium, in the process, producing some wonderfully rich and varied images.

  If you like what you see, click through to their personal galleries. Many of our members excel in other mediums, such as oil, acrylic, water-color, and colored pencil. Some are quite proficient with digital programs, as well.

  One last thing. Please take a moment and read the information included at the link below (About MoShui). It contains the “who and why we exist.”  
   
  As always, your comments and observations are appreciated, and to our new members, “Welcome!” To all our watchers, “thanks for taking an interest in what we are doing here!”

Go visit another member’s gallery, and remember…think ink!

The New Year is upon us, and that means reassessing the goals and aspirations of last year, and planning for the year ahead!

  One project that I’m currently involved with is a Kickstarter Campaign for my new sketchbook, One Year After: www.kickstarter.com/projects/2…

  My first, it’s been quite a eye-opening experience as I’m learning what works and what doesn’t. What is interesting to me is how fluid the process is, and in this age of instant communication, how social media plays such a huge role in people’s lives and connects us to others on a global scale.

  I’m pretty simple in my application of things. My tools consist of a brush, and a bottle of ink, a medium that dates back to the earliest days of antiquity. It’s not grand, nor flashy, but requires precision and constant refinement. The process can be learned in a short time, but takes years to master, and even then, one continues to learn new ways to render form and light in a monochromatic universe.

  There are thousands of images to be drawn, each one with a story behind the idea; some grand, some basic, some known, some yet to be told. What are your plans to set them down on paper? How will they differ from what you have done yesterday? How do you feel about the progress you have made thus far, and if not satisfied, what steps are you taking to further your skill and insight?
  In this New Year, set your goals high! Remember, one step at a time is all that is needed to travel far distances.    
   
  If you have an ink project that you are involved with and would like to promote, send us a note and we'll put it up!  

  As always, your comments and observations are appreciated, and to our new members, “Welcome!” To all our watchers, “thanks for taking an interest in what we are doing here!”

To all our members, please take a moment and re-read our guidelines for submission, as we've been getting some lately that contain color or mixed medium. Also, take a few moments and visit another member’s gallery. As always…think ink!

...in the middle of a stream, gets you wet and sometimes, cold.”

  Over the last five years, I’ve lived in five different places. The longest residence during that time was my three year tenure in China, the shortest was the seven months I lived on a beautiful farm in the middle of Whidbey Island, Washington before I moved to China. Now I’m back in Washington State in an apartment. Soon, I’ll be moving closer to Seattle.

  Once upon a time, I had a “proper” studio, cram-packed with shelves for reference books, stuffed animals, origami, figurines and skulls. A large, antique dresser jammed with art supplies, more books and files upon files of pictures. Against the walls, stacked on the floor were piles of originals and dozens of canvas, illustration boards, pads, and papers. Hung on the walls were more framed originals, posters, flags, and a yearly calendar, along with a world map of all the places my art had been shipped. And of course, my art board, which is a 3x5 foot wooden monster (and to this day, all of that ambiance is packed away in boxes, waiting for this sojourner to finally settle into a permanent residence). Only the art board remains in use.

  When I moved to China, I took some brushes, a few pens, and 4 pads of 11x14 Bristol board. Everything else went into storage. Obviously, I couldn’t take my art board! What I used instead was a small dining room table with a desk lamp, which had to be cleared every evening so we could actually use it to eat at!

  Was it a pain? Yes. Did I lament my decision? No, because I soon found out that, as an inker, all I need was something to draw with, and something to draw on. It was really that simple. I soon re-discovered the joy of life drawing. I bought a lot of sketchbooks, and in the summer months spent days at a time over at a park across the street from where we lived, sketching trees, people, rocks, and buildings. I took my sketchbook everywhere, learning to capture little details quickly. In little ways, it changed the way I work today. My last year in China, I produced 185 sketches in 365 days, all in three 5x8 sketchbooks. All in ink. All at that crazy dining room table.

  I said all that to say this, “never let your lack of facilities dampen your creativity.” Your situation may not be what you desire, but one day, it will be. If you don’t have reference, draw from life. If you don’t have a studio to go into, take your studio with you. If you don’t have large blocks of time to create “finished” work, hone your skills with quick sketches.  

  Keep drawing. Keep creating, and when the time and opportunity comes, you will be ready. Keep your pens uncapped and in hand. Keep those brushes wet with dipped ink. Keep your nibs clean and sharp. Keep your hand and eye coordination coordinated.

  And, most importantly of all, keep your mind wandering and your imagination full. Take your muse hand-in-hand and create something astounding.
   
  As always, your comments and observations are appreciated, and to our new members, “Welcome!” To all our watchers, “thanks for taking an interest in what we are doing here!”

  Go visit another member’s gallery, and remember…think ink!

    Although any time is a good time to appraise your progress as an artist, the calendar beginning of each year seems to prod us in that direction. In that spirit, let’s look at a few questions:

1). What kind of art do you want to be known for?
    Have you ever thought about this? Many artists have not. One day, they want to try graphite. The next week, it’s on to ink. After that, they may indulge in pastels, or colored-pencils, or crayon! While this is fine for experimentation and exploration, when it comes time to present your art, what comes through is a lack of expertise and focus in any one given area. This doesn’t mean you should never try other mediums. By all means, have fun and create! But…at some point you need to decide what you do best, and then, devote a lot more time in that area. An example of this is, I sometimes like to paint in oils, but I do not consider myself a painter. Why? ‘Cause I’m an inker. Plain and simple, ink is “what I do.” I created a brand for myself as an inker, and then, when I present my work to an Art Director, it says, “He does ink. It’s what he knows, and if you need ink, he’s the guy you should hire.”
    This coming year, give some thought about the direction you want your art to take, technically, and then learn what it takes to become proficient in that discipline.  

2). What are your artistic plans for the coming year?
    One sure way of not getting the results you want is to not plan. It’s a no-brainer. That being said, your plans can change, but set up a master goal (along with mini-goals), such as, this year, I will become more proficient at anatomy! Then, set forth a schedule and put the plan into action. Make your weakness your strength. Try to draw parts (hands, feet, etc.) and positions (running, leaping, etc.) that you are not used to doing. Yes, you may not want to show the initial efforts, but after repeated attempts, chances are that you will be on your way to mastering that which you were weak at.
    Let’s face it; we all enjoy drawing that which we are good at. But the trick is to be good at whatever we want to draw. Spend some time before this month is out, and write down what you want to accomplish this year; such as how many pieces, what you will learn, and where you want to be at years end.  

3). Which piece stands out? Is it your latest, or one you did months ago?
    As an artist, we should constantly be trying to improve. One philosophy I’ve tried to apply for years is, my current piece is simply practice for the next. That doesn’t mean I approach the current work haphazardly, but by considering it “practice,” I simply mean that I will use the latest work to learn what I set out to learn at that time, and if I don’t succeed, I can try again with the next piece. I try to make each piece of art I do the best, so that by looking over the year, the ones I did in December are better than the ones I did earlier.
    This year, challenge yourself with each new piece. Draw something you never drew before, in a way you have never done it, and push yourself to grow, whether in style, technique, or applied medium.  

4). Are you satisfied with what you see?
    This is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, we should never be “satisfied” with our art, because that leads to complacency. There is usually something that we could have done differently. When you talk to established, professional artists, they will tell you that they did the best they could given the amount of time they had to do it in. In other words, the deadline rules! If you are doing a portfolio piece, that is a different matter. You can spend as long as you want, but if you can’t repeat the same look or feel in a piece that you spent a month on in two weeks, someone is going to notice. Like, the Art Director who hired you based on that “killer” concept.
    Now, on the other hand, we should be pleased with any progress we make. When I look at the art I produced last year, I am thrilled about some of the lessons I learned and the fact that I am still growing. It helps to motivate me to do better work in the future!

Finally,

5). Are you listening to what others are saying? I hope not, unless they know what they are talking about. In other words, consider the source. DeviantART is a wonderful place to show your work and learn from other artists, but there are plenty of people here who don’t know a thing about art or what you are trying to do with yours. If you receive a negative criticism, go to their page and view what they have done. In the past, I’ve seen too many artists derailed from further progress because someone thinks they are not creating “properly.” It’s not science, it’s art.
    This year, develop and fine tune your vision, and then, pursue it. Make your art your own.

    As always, your comments and observations (and art) are what makes this your group. Let us know what you think. To our new members, “Welcome!” To all of our watchers, “thanks for taking an interest in what we are doing here!” May this New Year be prosperous and adventuresome beyond your grandest expectations.

And remember…think ink!

    I’d like to start out by saying a hearty “Welcome aboard” to all those who have joined with MoShui over the summer. You are what makes this group a success, and recently, we broke the 100 member mark.
    We are growing slowly, and that is a good thing. This group will never be about numbers, but quality. I spend a lot of time looking at ink, and personally, I think we have some of the best ink artists on DA included in our galleries. Your work. Your effort. Your vision. My hat’s off to all of you who have dedicated their time and effort to learning this demanding medium.

    However, now would be a good time to expound upon this concept of “best.” While I certainly feel we have some of the absolute best black ink work included, what we are really after is your best work.

    My own approach to art is that I try to make each piece better than the last. While this doesn’t always happen, it is a goal. Many things enter in as to whether or not this is possible. Experimenting with new styles, new subjects, and new techniques will set one back a bit. Also, if one is engaged in the field of illustration, time becomes paramount; however, in my own search for excellence, I like to feel that I’m growing better with every piece I ink.  

    Each month, I go through all of your galleries, looking at the new work you are producing. I’m delighted by the versatility and creativity that I see. Some of you are not “ink workers,” as your expertise lies in other areas. But, many of you are, so this applies to you.
    If you submit a piece of work that fits our criteria (traditional black ink), and it is not accepted, it is probably because it is not the best ink work in your gallery. This applies particularly if it is an older piece, and chances are, you have progressed way beyond that point as reflective in your newer work. That is one reason why our submission number is low (2 per week), which is to give you time to produce superior work. Remember, quality, not quantity.

    Within MoShui, you’ll find a lot of different styles, subjects, and techniques. As a group, we are always out searching for black ink artists, so we will continue to grow, and best yet, feature outstanding work. I know some of your future endeavors will be included.

    Finally, to our watchers: “Cheers!” Or as we say in China, "Ganbei!" Thank you for taking an interest in what we do.  Your support is greatly appreciated.

    Now, get out those tools and…think ink.

Recent Journal Entries

Journal Writers