THE ART OF SUMI PAINTING

The essence of Sumi Painting or sumi-e lies in its simple beauty. The age old techniques enable the artist to express himself extremely economically, portraying shapes and ideas in simple brush strokes and dots. Using black sumi ink, and occasionally other colours, brush stokes are kept to a minimum and outlines are frequently suggested rather than actually drawn, The carefully placed strokes and shadowing together with the clever use of space combine to produce the delicate effects which characterise this art form. Practice and experience will lead to greater brush control which is essential in order to achieve the subtle tones and effects which convey the images so beautifully.

Clear instructions and diagrams make this book easy to follow and there are designs to copy or use as a basis for new ideas. Advice is given on the correct tools, basic techniques, contrasting tones and shading, while in certain cases numbered diagrams show the order and direction of each brush stroke needed to build up the picture.

With a little practice anyone can master the techniques and appreciate the beauty of Sumi painting