|
Sumi-e (Japanese: 炭絵 and sometimes spelled sumii-e in
Romaji) is a form of
Japanese ink
painting that developed from the practice of Japanese
calligraphy
Shodo. The name literally means "charcoal drawing" in
Japanese and uses only black ink in various concentrations.
In sumi-e, the artist grinds her own ink using an ink stick and a
grinding stone. Ink sticks are generally made of densely packed charcoal
ash from bamboo and a little glue. The artist puts a few drops of water on
the inkstone and grinds the
ink stick in a circular motion until a smooth, black
ink is made of the desired concentration.
Sumi-e brushes are traditionally made from
bamboo and
goat,
ox,
horse, or
wolf hair. The hair is tapered down to a very fine point, a feature
vital to the sumi-e painting style.
There are four main types of brush strokes to learn in sumi-e, called
the "Four Gentlemen". There are the Bamboo Stroke, the Wild Orchid Stroke,
the Chrysanthemum Stroke, and the Plum Branch Stroke. The strokes used to
paint these four simple plants are the basis for everything painted in
sumi-e.
|
