Study in Black | Maria Genitsariou

By definition, black is the color that emits or reflects no light at any point of the visible spectrum. In theory, then, it is the absence of color, an achromatic color, and the opposite of white.

But is that really the case?

In practice, black comes in countless qualities, textures, and shades. How black is the black we use? How many different blacks can we create? Why does the texture change from one ink to another? What greys and shades emerge through dilution? How does black affect other colors, and which paper best brings out each of its qualities?

The masterclass by visual artist calligrapher Maria Genitsariou explores black through history, materials, and practice itself, from European water-soluble inks and Japanese solid inks to natural and synthetic pigments and the preparation of ink from scratch.

Part 1 | Black in Europe: Water-soluble Inks and Pigments

A journey through the history of water-soluble inks and pigments across the wider European region, from antiquity to the present day, through the ingredients and recipes of each period. What are the main differences between watercolor and ink? How does the same black behave when applied with a brush, fountain pen, reed, or ruling pen? And how much does the result alter when the paper changes?

Participants will test and compare inks and watercolors on handmade and industrial papers, using different application tools.

Part 2 | Solid Inks: From Japan to Paper

Ingredients, preparation methods, and techniques for using solid inks. How do they differ from European inks, and how are they used today?

Through tests with solid inks, participants will examine the different tonalities of black and grey that emerge depending on the raw materials and preparation methods used.

Participants will use traditional ink stones and Japanese brushes for the tests on handmade paper.

Part 3 | From Pigment to Ink

An introduction to pigments, their historical preparation recipes, and the differences between natural and synthetic pigments.

Participants will prepare their own black ink by combining black pigments with handmade and industrial gum arabic, then test it with a brush and fountain pen on different types of handmade and industrial paper.