Sumi E Ink Painting

Japanese ink painting also known as suibokuga or sumi e is a creation of pure energy of an artist submerged in a meditative state.

Sumi e ink painting.

Sumukhwa or sumi e japanese. The art of sumi e ink painting could be compared to the art of rock climbing where moves are slow and supple when needed whereas sometimes the body is trusted with full power towards a perfect spot exploding in a split second with unconstrained energy to move. The origin of sumi e paintings have roots in chinese calligraphy which can be noted by the similar brush strokes. East asian painting and writing developed together in ancient china using the same materials brush and ink on paper.

Shozo sato is a renowned master of zen arts. Traditional sumi ink made from pine or vegetable oil soot comes in both liquid form or as ink sticks that can be dissolved in water on a grinding stone then applied with sumi brushes on absorbent painting papers made from. Sumi e 墨絵風 also known as suiboku ga is japanese monochrome ink painting or ink wash painting. Featuring gorgeous images and practical advice it includes guided instructions for 35 different paintings.

Ink wash painting simplified chinese. The chinese speak of writing a painting and painting a poem. Artists who practice the sumi e writing and painting style use bamboo or hake brushes to apply black sumi ink to paper. Sumi e is the japanese word for black ink painting.

Emerging in tang dynasty china 618 907 it. Gradations of black in sumi art are achieved by using black ink at full strength or dissolving it in water to lighten it. Sumi e paintings in essence are beautiful forms of art and they traditionally encompass philosophy as well. Emphasis is placed on the beauty of each individual stroke of the brush.

Using just simple black ink and carefully curated white space sumi e captures the timeless beauty and complexity of the natural world. In this beautiful book naomi okamoto passes on her experience and knowledge of sumi e traditional japanese ink painting that uses only ink white space and simple brushstrokes to capture the essence of an object person animal or scene.