You have finally decided to take that first alcohol ink drawing class. Congratulations! You are about to start the most colorful journey, which in Mandarin is called abstract alcohol ink painting. You are going to do a hue-and-stroke dance with your brushes and ink. Let’s see what this information canvas has to offer. It’s not just spraying ink on white paper and calling it art; it’s a patchwork of history, feelings, and, well, patience. While you wait for these beautiful ink strokes to dry, you might learn that it pays off to be patient. On the first day, your teacher may hold his brushes in ways that he has been doing for a thousand years and look like he just came out of a painter’s version of heaven.

As you might expect, a lesson for beginners starts with the basics. You get used to your tools, and each brush has a story to tell. Use as much strength as a tightrope dancer to hold them in place. That ink bottle is just your partner in crime. Try dipping your brushes slowly into the water, like you would to find the right amount of ink to water for your tips. What about the paper? Just a possible painting. For your first lesson, you might just need to practice strokes. That sounds boring, but trust me, each stroke brings you closer to your work.

Then there are the little, lovely problems that will come up as you work. For example, the ink might move around without your permission, or the paper might buckle, giving your work a rough look. You will learn a lot from these bends and turns, more than any guide could. Learn how the room temperature, humidity, the texture of the paper, and even the way you hold the brush can change the ink trails in one of the classes. It will be like finding secret paths in a maze.