Sumi-e Painting Ink and Wash Painting

Sumi-e Sumi-e means “ink picture” Ink and wash painting practiced in Japan, China, and Korea an art form that strives to distill the essence of an object or scene in the fewest possible strokes. At its purest, sumi-e is black ink on white paper, but color may be added. Usually on rice paper.

Western artists influenced by it: Van Gogh, Mary Cassatt, Gauguin, Toulouse-Lautrec

The paint strokes out of which most paintings can be made are called the Four Gentlemen; these are bamboo, wild orchid, plum tree and chrysanthemum “Four Gentlemen” represent all forms and shapes in the universe Each stroke should be as beautiful as you can make it-exist on its own

Bamboo

Wild Orchid

Chrysanthemum

Plum Blossom

Other Subject Matter

Brushes: Fude (foo-day) round base tapers to a fine tip Hake (hah-kay) flat wash

Technique: in brush painting, the brush is held perpendicular/vertical to the paper, almost at a right angle to the hand Grasp the brush by the thumb, index and middle finger. During the process of painting, the fingers remain almost immobile and the work is done by the arm unsupported.

Practice Page

Haiku Haiku is a type of poetry from Japan Usually 3 lines with syllables 5-7-5 Haiku does not rhyme A Haiku must "paint" a mental image in the reader's mind. Common themes: Nature-flowers: orchids, cherry blossoms, bamboo, trees, leaves, rivers Seasons Nature: birds, animals, insects