Inky meditations Learn to create mindful mesmerizing paintings with water and ink

Stemming from creations found on a TikTok account of the same name (@inky_meditations), this book presents a meditative art style involving an ink-on-water technique. The author is Australia-based, so some of the specific brands for supplies she recommends--watercolor paper, for example--may not be accessible to U.S. readers. Enough details are available, however, to find good substitutes. Readers who've experimented with painting before will likely have some of the supplies at home already, and they will find that the others are readily available at a broad range of art supply stores and price points. The featured sumi ink starts around $7 a bottle, affordable for most readers. The book walks readers through a variety of step-by-step exercises to get them comfortable using the materials and practicing the techniques. As readers move into more complicated projects, the meditation aspect also comes into play, which encourages a focus on breathing and working with the ink. A QR code gives readers access to project templates. VERDICT Readers seeking a new dimension to painting may enjoy trying their hand at this distinctive art style. This book also makes a good choice for readers looking for a new project that requires minimal supplies and expense.--Carrie Byrd