India Ink Illustration with Japanese Influence
A course by Mika TakahashiVisual artist and illustrator
A course by Mika Takahashi, Visual artist and illustrator
Explore the possibilities of India ink through techniques inspired by Sumi-e, from the first lines to the finishing touches
Illustrating with India ink is more than a creative medium of expression, it is a style that develops into a dialogue with other ancestral techniques and cultures. Award-winning artist and illustrator Mika Takahashi uses this technique, inspired by traditional Japanese methods such as Sumi-e and Shodo, to give life to truly expressive pieces.
In this course, Mika will guide you through the entire process to create a composition in India ink from start to finish, exploring all the potential this material has to offer. You will also learn how to paint with precision, create contrasts, light effects, and shadows to convey emotion through this ancient technique.
What will you learn in this online course?
14 lessons & 25 downloads
What will we do in the course?
1 minute, 17 seconds
Influences on the choice of a theme
2 minutes, 45 seconds
Materials
5 minutes, 49 seconds
Line exercises
2 minutes, 51 seconds
Stain exercises
3 minutes, 46 seconds
Composition
3 minutes, 52 seconds
What's included in this course?
Get to know Mika’s illustration career so far, how she discovered the technique behind India ink painting, her Japanese influences, and her major professional publications. See some of her most important references, whether it be for technique, a particular topic, or artistic sensibility.
Learn how to look for references to find a theme to develop in your illustration project. Mika shows you the materials you need to carry out your project and teaches you Japanese methods to achieve more precision when using your paintbrushes, such as a series of exercises the explore the possibilities of India ink.
Then, make a start on your illustration strokes, by putting into practice what you learned in the previous exercises. Establish the base of your composition, defining the narrative and hierarchy of your information.
Create your first India ink stains and see how to create light and shadow effects to establish an open feel. Mika teaches you how to do line and area fills with a fine paintbrush.
To finish the course, learn how to apply the final touches to your work manually, how to fix mistakes with white ink and then, how to do the final edits in Adobe Photoshop. Finish the course with a Japanese-influenced illustration that’s ready to print or share on social media.
What is this course's project?
Create an India ink painting with Japanese influence using memories, dreams, photos, or literature.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
For those interested in learning India ink techniques or for artists and illustrators looking for a new means of artistic expression.
Requirements and materials
Previous knowledge in illustrating with India ink is not necessary, just an eagerness to draw.
As for materials, you will need different types of paper (rice, cotton, bristol, and newspaper), ink (Sumi-e, ink bar, liquid ink, and gouache), Sumi-e or watercolor paintbrushes, a container, a cloth or paper towels, a pencil, an eraser, a scanner, and a computer with Adobe Photoshop for the final edits.
Reviews
- 4 months ago
I found this course to be very good. It's structure made it easy to follow at the same time delivered in a clear and as simple manner that made it enjoyment. I had trouble though with the subtitles. I needed English subtitles.. At times I could not get the titles at all.
- 6 months ago
I wanted a clear instruction on applying the contrasts before inking the work, and this course did exactly that. Clear instructions and easy to follow. The ink stick and ink stone part got me to buy my own. Making my own ink is fun!
- 1 year ago
corso molto semplice, veloce e pratico. Facile da seguire e ben spiegato anche per chi è alle prime armi.
- 1 year ago
She made it very simple to follow, while at the time highly informative. I learned a lot of new techniques. and found her instruction very pleasing.
- 1 year ago
Me sirvió muchísimo, y me inspiró a crear ilustraciones de mi hija.
Her editorial work includes illustrations for comic book covers such as Um cara que caiu do Céu (e não conhecia a vida), Selva Gráfica Vol 2, and Realezas Urbanas. She has held various collective exhibitions such as Contínua (Clube dos Criadores) and Donas da Rua (ONU and Mauricio de Sousa), as well as individual exhibitions like Peças de um Quebra-Cabeças in the Galeria Hipotética. Her published books include Ink Stories and Além dos Trilhos.
Content
- U1
Wetting feet in ink
- Hello! Nice to meet you!
- Influences
- What will we do in the course?
- U2
Learning to swim
- Influences on the choice of a theme
- Materials
- Line exercises
- Stain exercises
- U3
Diving
- Composition
- Final drawing
- First spots
- Contrast
- Lines and fills
- U4
Returning to the surface
- Manual editing
- Digital Edition
- FP
Final project
- Nanjing with Japanese influence
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
This course is recommended for those who already have basic illustration skills and want to deepen their knowledge of ink techniques, digital painting, and visual storytelling. It’s an intermediate level course.
You’ll need brushes, ink, various types of paper, a lightbox (or a DIY alternative), masking tape, a type cleaner, plus a computer with Photoshop for the digital part.
You’ll learn ink techniques, digital painting, sensitive storytelling, visual composition, digital editing in Photoshop, as well as strategies for personal projects and self-publishing.
The course covers basic digital animation techniques applied to illustration, exploring movement, character study, and integration with digital painting to enrich visual narratives.
You don’t have to be a Photoshop expert, but basic image editing skills help. The course includes guidance on retouching, contrast adjustment, and using layers in the software.
Yes, you’ll learn about self-publishing comics, including tips on preparing files and crowdfunding strategies to bring your personal projects to life.
The course explores traditional techniques like ink use, loose brushstrokes, line control, mixing water and pigment, plus methods inspired by Japanese art.