Have you ever thought about what occurs when soft pastel dust and alcohol inks mix? The creative scene in The Tingology Hong Kong has answers, and they’re messier (in a good way) than you’d think. Art lessons all around the city get people away from their screens and into their hands with brushes, sticks, or even their fingers—just to see what occurs on paper.
Let’s chat about Harmony Pastel. It’s strange how peaceful these classes make me feel. When a city inhabitant mixes sky blues and cherry blossom pinks with the side of a pastel stick, their heart rate slows down. Sandy, an accountant, says she never imagined she could make something “flowy and alive” until her teacher gave her a paper stump and told her to smudge it. She laughs and says, “I thought I’d ruin it.” “Turns out, the mistakes are half the fun.”
Now, move on to painting using alcohol ink. This isn’t the same watercolor your grandma used. There are no straight lines here; inks float, puddle, and chase each other around over sheets that don’t soak up water. A drop of isopropyl shows surprising swirls and pyrotechnics that happen by mistake. Alcohol ink classes might be your new favorite thing if you like happy surprises. People who are just starting out often say they see faces or landscapes in what was once pure chaos. The fact that no two pieces are the same is a big draw.
Most studios have small classes. People converse and the place is buzzing sometimes. Sometimes, though, it’s only one or two students with headphones on, immersed in their own filthy world. Teachers know how to work with people of various ability levels. Your stick figures next to someone’s growing abstract seem right at home. They provide you rapid advice, such “Put more pressure here” or “Try blowing through a straw for that effect!” One woman even used a hair dryer to make cells that looked like a galaxy.
Some locations let you try out both forms of art in the same session. It’s a small adventure. You’ll leave with stained fingertips and a piece of art that you may put on your fridge or throw away.
People normally sign up online, although there is potential for spontaneous inventiveness. Walk-ins are fine if there’s room. What are the prices? They go from cheap peanut butter sandwiches to “let’s celebrate someone’s birthday” splurges.
What do you need to bring? Be open-minded, a little curious, and ready to get a little dirty. It covers everything else, from materials to ideas.
You might encounter a retired person who paints sunsets or a teenager who paints dragons in fifty shades of green. Friendships start. People talk about everything from creative skills to the finest places to get lunch in the area. If you want to do something quite different from what you do every day, one of these art classes could be just what you need. Put on an apron. Art is waiting, and it doesn’t often wait quietly.