Introduction to Sumi-e Painting: 5 Basic Ink Techniques

Step into a journey of self-discovery through the ancient art of Sumi-e painting.

Connect with Japanese zen philosophy and let your energy flow through expressive ink brush strokes as Japanese artist, Koshu, guides you through this ancestral art form using ink brush strokes and a meditative practice to create deeply expressive artwork.

Discover a thousand-year-old practice that is both a form of expression and a way of setting the mind. Delve into the history of Sumi-e painting and its intrinsic connection to nature and Zen philosophy.

In the opening of this tutorial, Koshu demonstrates three basic brush stroke techniques including the brush holding style of ‘Soukou hou’ (with index, middle fingers and thumb at the front, and ring and little fingers at the back of the brush.) And ‘kenwan’ arm position (keeping the arm holding the brush up, ideal for big movement.)

Brush Stroke Techniques

1. Chokujitsu: Holding your brush upright and moving the tip of the brush running in the center of the lines.

2. Sokuhitzu: Holding your brush diagonally and moving it sideways, the tip of the brush is pointing one side, and the root of the brush is the other side.

3. Warifude: Tip of the brush is spread out with dried hair.

Ink Techniques

4. Sakiguma technique: Ink effect technique created by dipping your brush in thinner ink, wiping, and then adding darker ink to the tip of the brush. This style allows for the possibility of creating depths of color.

5. Motoguma technique: Place the brush in darker ink, then wash the tip of the brush in water to make the tip lighter ink.

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- Introduction to Sumi-e Painting
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