Homemade ink!

I received this jar of homemade ink from a great friend,
Chris "Patch".

He made it from the walnuts that fell off the walnut trees in his neighborhood, Chestnut Hill, PA.
Check out his blog posting on how he made the ink at:
http://artbypatch.wordpress.com/2011/04/08/dont-drink-the-ink/


You know it's good stuff, if it has mold growing in it!
(Footnote: I really don't know if mold makes for superior ink.)

My first attempt drawing with the ink. I attempted a loose drawing with bold washes. I achieved some unique effects, but I got too aggressive with the amount of ink I laid down and it got to be a little too unpredictable how dark the wash would dry. So I abandoned the drawing.

I had better luck with my second drawing. Worked much slower. Used a more controlled application and embraced the attempt to achieve realism. I pulled out my quill pen to achieve the fine lines in the fur.