Isn't it fascinating what you can do with only two colors? I used the Rohrer & Klinger Schreibtinte in Verdura (40 520) and Verdigris (40 505) which are my favorite water based inks to paint with.

The most useful helping tool with these is definitely my little pipette. I could get the ink out with a damp brush, but I'm afraid that that would dilute the ink in their veil bit by bit.

Here is a WIP picture right after I put the salt onto the wet paint:

I just love to watch how it breaks the inks up into their pigments. The pink in my blue ink is just so beautiful!

This little watermark could have been avoided. I think the excess water on the tape right at the edge seeped in while I let the gradient dry. I covered it up with foliage anyways so, who cares, right? But, a helpful observation has been made!

 

Remember, it's always ok, to sketch thinks out. There is no Ctrl+Z in traditional art :)

In hindsight, I wish I painted the background a little darker, to soften the harsh contrasts. Anyways, maybe it was very bright and sunny that day where the river flows.

Which one of these two is you favorite?