A Copybook for Japanese Ink Painting is designed for artists who are eager to find a new outlet for his talents. The paintings are the work of Shutei Ota, an artist who has had a long career of introducing Japanese ink-painting to Westerners. As a teacher, she has found the language barrier to be no handicap. She teaches by showing, by example, and by holding the hands of her students-beginning immediately with strokes and foregoing preliminary sketches. "Paint now" is her philosophy. She likes to think of her paintings as written compositions. Each stroke is a sentence, and each sentence builds up to a complete message or picture. In this book, examples graded from easy to difficult are given. Westerners will no doubt make practical use of the art to create place cards, greeting cards, Christmas cards, and the like for personal use. Beyond this, of course, the study of Japanese ink painting will lead to better understanding of the discipline of Asian arts in general.

In this Japanese ink painting book renowned Japanese master Shozo Sato offers his own personal teaching on the beautiful art of sumi-e painting. Sumi-e: The Art of Japanese Ink Painting provides step-by-step, photo-by-photo instructions to guide learners in the correct form, motions and techniques of Japanese sumi-e painting. Featuring gorgeous images and practical advice, it includes guided instructions for 35 different paintings. From waterfalls to bamboo, learners paint their way to understanding sumi-e--a style of painting that is characteristically Asian and has been practiced for well over 1,000 years. Although it's sometimes confused with calligraphy, as the tools used are the same, sumi-e instead tries to capture the essence of an object or scene in the fewest possible strokes. This all-in-one resource also provides a timeline of brush painting history, a glossary of terms, a guide to sources and an index--making it a tool to use and treasure, for amateurs and professionals alike. This sumi-e introduction is ideal for anyone with a love of Japanese art or the desire to learn to paint in a classic Asian style.

A guide to Japanese ink painting provides information on techniques and materials needed, along with step-by-step exercises.

Japanese Ink Painting: Lessons in Suiboku Technique teaches beginners the fundamental techniques of suiboku, a form of Japanese ink painting. Suiboku is considered to be a type of Japanese painting known as sumi-e. It adds water to emphasize the shading of black into gray in one brush-stroke. With origins in China and a spiritual basis in Zen Buddhism, this form of brush painting--expressing nature's colors through shades of black ink monochrome--has been enjoyed throughout the centuries in Japan as a hobby for the amateur. This Japanese painting book offers step-by-step lessons with easy-to-understand explanations through nearly 60 illustrations. The numerous photographs at the end of the book, in addition to the works of great masters in the art of suiboku, include several paintings by the author's pupils to prove what the amateur can achieve through careful observance of instructions and patient practice. As the author points out, this book is designed for the beginner, and "even the amateur can learn by himself and enjoy suiboku as a hobby."

This practical guide is perfect for those looking to try this ancient art form for the first time! In this book, Japanese master artist Shozo Koike reveals the simple secrets of Sumi-e, offering step-by-step instructions with clear photographs and online video tutorials showing you how to paint 19 traditional subjects. Sumi-e is the meditative Japanese form of ink painting taught by Zen Buddhist monks to encourage mindfulness and an awareness of our surroundings. It uses only ink, water, a brush and paper to capture natural objects and landscapes in a vivid, spontaneous fashion. Koike begins with the basics--what to buy and how to prepare the ink in a traditional inkstone. Next, he shows you how to practice the 11 basic brushstrokes used for all Sumi-e paintings. The 19 traditional subjects taught in this book include: Flowers like orchids, chrysanthemums, camellias, roses and peonies Plants and fruits including bamboo, eggplants, grapes and chestnuts Animal figures including small birds, butterflies, chicks, crabs and goldfish Koike also explains the philosophy of Sumi-e, which emerges from the use of negative white space to enhance the painted forms. Readers will enter into a world not just of black and white, but of infinite shades of gray which are capable of evoking all the sensations of color using these techniques.

Explore the ancient technique of Japanese ink painting. The art of sumi-e, which means "ink picture," combines calligraphy and ink-painting to produce brush painting compositions of rare beauty. This beauty is paradoxical--ancient but modern, simple but sophisticated, bold but subdued--no doubt reflecting the art's spiritual basis in Zen Buddhism. At the same time, sumi-e painting is firmly rooted in the natural world, its various techniques serving as the painter's language for describing the wonders of nature. Buddhist priests brought the ink stick and the bamboo-handled brush to Japan from China in the sixth century, and over the past fourteen centuries, Japan has developed a rich heritage of ink-painting. Today the artistry of sumi-e can be admired in books, reproductions, and museums, but the techniques of the art have been much less accessible. As a result, little information has been available to the inquisitive Western artist attracted to Japanese sumi-e. This book, designed to help remedy that deficiency, is the product of the author's study with her teacher, Ukai Uchiyama, master calligraphist and artist. It contains extensive explanations of technique as well as detailed painting instructions and diagrams.

Learn the engaging art of Japanese sumi painting, where simple sweeps of the brush capture the essence of nature. The Japanese art tradition of Sumi-e uses brushes and ink washes to combine calligraphic lines with carefully thought out blank spaces. Traditionally focusing on flowers and plants, this mindful art form has roots in Zen Buddhism, striving to capture the essence and natural vitality of a subject, rather than creating a realistic representation. In this beautifully illustrated step-by-step guide, master calligraphic artist Akemi Lucas describes the equipment, brush positioning, ink-mixing techniques and mindset needed to excel at this delightful art form. Ideal both for beginners and accomplished Sumi-e artists, the projects start with orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum, and plum blossom – known as 'The Four Gentlemen' – and increase in complexity through fruits and flowers to water, insects, and birds. Many of the later projects also include important advice on background washes and other advanced techniques that will add sophistication to your work. Prepare your ink, clear your mind, and create natural wonderlands using simple sweeps of the brush.