There is something about sumi-e artwork that really speaks to me.
Black ink brushed or dragged across paper. A smudge here. A stroke there. A bit more water. A bit less. And in the end a piece of art that captures my imagination and holds my heart.
A lot of it has to do with simplicity. When you think about it, there’s not a lot there. The basic strokes aren’t complicated, although they can take years to master.
I’ve watched sumi-e artists work the ink from a small brick to a powder until it achieves exactly the right consistency. Adding just the right amount of water. Choosing exactly the right brush. Swirling the fibres into the ink, removing excess moisture. All to achieve… perfection.
I can look at a good piece of sumi-e art for a very long time, following with my eyes and mind the ink, how the brush must have worked its way across the paper. The tip. The edge. Light strokes. Heavy strokes.
When done right, the sumi-e art lifts my spirits and calms my heart. I find peace within it.
There are so many things about Japan, the Japanese and Japanese art, history and culture that I admire. Sumi-e is near the top of that list.
Ah, I love sumi-e. My aunt was a sumi-e artist so I know a little bit about it. I’m really enjoying reading through your blog – it’s wonderful!
Laura: I am glad you enjoy it. Please continue reading and I will continue trying to please you. Comment as often as you like. I love hearing from readers.
Hello! There is a few one I just love so far, it’s just too bad you didn’t put some bigger sizes of the pictures so that we can put them on our desk screen ^^. Please, if you do, don’t forget to still use a good camera eh 😉 (at least, if it’s a camera, ‘caus maybe you used a scanner, if so, could you retake the one that is not straight, straight please because it’s just awesome. It’s the fourth from the top. Thank you very much)! Now, yep, the image’s quality is so important to me, sometimes I find beautiful pictures on the web (not only of sumi-e), but some are in not-good-enough quality so I don’t take them, but thanks goodness most of people that like taking pictures mind to use a good camera ;).
Reblogged this on Down To A Tea and commented:
amazing style, always loved watercolours,
just brought myself a moleskine watercolour note book, only been messing around for now, but i am enjoying it, will deffinatly try this style
It’s a fascinating artwork style. Let us know how you like it!