Project 1067 Ink, Not Paint | Digital Project | Water-based ink mark making for mixed media collage

Ink, Not Paint

Project 1067 introduces water-based ink as a primary mark-making tool in collage and mixed media.

In this Curious Collage Society skill-building project, you’ll work with ink first—allowing stains, lines, and washes to form naturally—then respond with collage rather than covering the marks up. The emphasis is on speed, absorption, and restraint, learning how ink behaves on different papers and when to stop before overworking the surface.

By placing collage in response to what the ink has already done, you’ll practice listening to the page instead of forcing it. Imperfect marks remain visible, guiding composition, balance, and movement rather than being corrected or hidden.

This project is paired with Everything & Nothing, whose open, abstract imagery is especially well suited to ink-led exploration and intuitive response.

What You’ll Explore

• Using water-based ink as both wash and line
• Creating loose, expressive marks quickly
• Responding to ink through collage placement
• Letting imperfection remain visible and active

How This Project Works

Designed as an experiment first and a finished piece second, Project 1067 encourages responsiveness over control. You’ll practice trusting early marks, recognizing when enough has happened, and allowing the surface to remain open and expressive.

This project reflects a core Curious Collage Society value: the work often knows where it wants to go before you do.

Search Terms

ink collage techniques, water-based ink mixed media, curious collage society project, ink wash collage art, expressive ink mark making, responding to ink with collage, abstract mixed media ink, skill building mixed media pdf

Tear Up, Cut Up and Stick On