This book showcased a variety of techniques for working with inks, but especially highlighted ways to simplify a piece while still retaining the essence of the subject. This is a very useful skill, especially when working small and with delicate media. It also stressed the importance of color palettes and ways to combine color most effectively in an ink piece.

I wasn't terribly interested in recreating most of the projects, but they did inspire me to think of other uses for each technique - many of which I had previously been unfamiliar with - so I definitely feel like it was a useful book for me.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Quarry Books for providing an e-arc for review.

This is a lovely guide to using inks in all kinds of creative ways. I personally was not a big fan of the color choices or styles, but that's just my aesthetic. I absolutely love vivid colors but many of these just seemed to sort of clash, and the art style was just a little off for me. Art is very personal though, and the book is still brimming with ideas, inspiration and information. There are many full color photos and a range of projects to emulate such as a bird, flowers and patterns.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.

This beautiful book has step by step instructions and pictures that really simplify the how to for the reader. The book would be best suited for those who draw well but would like to learn how to paint their creations, since the author does start with a sketch base. However, a traced drawing would work as well if the reader is a true beginner. The projects are lovely and the whole book is so pretty!

Brilliant inks is an inspiring and instructional book that concentrates on the use of inks in art. It gives details of the various types of ink available and their properties and then moves on to the tools and techniques that can be used with them. Exercises on mark making and combining inks are given along with tips on how to get the most from your inks. There are then several step by step projects including the use of ink on different substrates such as fabric and cork. Brilliant inks is a valuable addition to your reference library if you want to know more about this exciting art supply. Thanks to Netgalley and quarto publishing for an ecopy of this book to review.

I was mostly drawn to this book by the beautiful cover, and I'm so glad I gave it a chance. It is beautifully detailed, well explained and written. Looks like I have another new hobby!

Brilliant Inks is a step by step guide to creating pictures in vivid colour. The book itself is a delicious feast for the eyes with pages exploding in vivid bright colourful illustrations. It is a pleasure to browse through. There are step by step instructions for projects, tips, tricks and smaller exercises to try out techniques.. A variety of inks, colour theory, mixing colours and washes are focussed on along with so much more. The book is good for beginners but also for any artist just wanting to brighten up their life.

Beautiful book, such lovely images, that I can’t wait to try to recreate.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

Brilliant Inks by Anna Sokolova
5 Stars

I was excited to hear that Anna has a new book out. I've taken a few classes from the artist & illustrator, Anna Sokolova, on Skillshare. Her flowers and adorable animals are my favorite. I'm impressed with her stress-free teaching style. If you make a mistake, try again.

Brilliant Inks is a vibrant book with beautiful ink illustrations. There are step-by-step directions with picture instructions from cover-to-cover. Even the warm-up exercises are visually appeasing.

This book covers a wide variety of information, in bite-sized pieces, that didn't overwhelm me. Anna covers different types of inks, color theory, gradients and ink washes. She shows us how to mix colors, what paper use, and has a brushes and tools section that covers why each item is needed. The warm-up exercises were relaxing and art projects were achievable. I'm not so sure I could create a mandala. The tips were helpful, and I loved the reference pictures that were included in the back of the book.

All in all, Brilliant Inks delivered and I'm inspired to start trying a few new techniques. I'd recommend this book for creative people wanting to improve their inking game.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed about an Anna Sokolova multimedia book using watercolors and inks together. 😊

Thank you, NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group, for providing me with a digital ARC for an honest review.

This is a lovely watercolour book and watercolour pictures are beautiful. I love how there are templates at the back you can use . Brilliant inks shows you how to watercolour mushrooms, flowers and many more. It’s handy book that you can keep going back to.
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this book

My imagination-came-true kind of watercolor guidebook!

I don't know how the team did it but this book is everything for someone who loves watercolor art.

Every page is worth swooning upon. The presentation of each page is what surprised me. The inclusion of real pictures of the colours and the basic art of each style described are the highlights for me.

The tips and the tricks given really work well when I tried them on my journal while reading the book. The types of brush to be used are described well.

Keep this book with you. It will become quite handy and useful while you're planning a project or just to design your journal/diary entries.

Worth it.

Thank you, Quarto Publishing Group - Quarry, for the advance review copy.