SumiE Ink Painting Began in China in the
Sumi-E Ink Painting
• Began in China in the late 7 th century before being transmitted to Korea and Japan in the 12 th and 13 th centuries • Uses simple tools to create bold images • Using only black ink, sumi-e artists capture the spirit of their subject using clean lines on thin, absorbent rice paper.
• Ink wash painting is usually done on xuan paper (Chinese) or washi (Japanese paper) both of which are highly absorbent. Silk is also used in some forms of ink painting.
• Ink wash painting brushes are similar to the brushes used for calligraphy and are traditionally made from bamboo with goat, cattle, horse, sheep, rabbit, marten, badger, deer, boar and wolf hair. • Once a stroke is painted, it cannot be changed or erased. This makes ink and wash painting a technically demanding art-form requiring great skill, concentration, and years of training.
Sumi-E Ink is also used in calligraphy. This is the Chinese character for “Love. ”
Negative Space- the space you don’t fill in • Think of negative space as defining the boundaries of a shape using only the tone that surrounds it. In other words, you aren’t drawing the object but simply giving the illusion of the object by drawing around it.
Panda created using negative space
Important Note *Let’s talk about painting with ink. It’s thinner than you are used to and a little goes a long way. AND IT STAINS because—INK!!! Be careful with your supplies. You do not need water. When you finish with your brush, set it carefully on the plate. *Also, rice paper is made to absorb ink but not A LOT of ink. Be sure to work on top of newspaper or scratch paper. The ink will soak through. Do NOT use too much ink. If you find the rice paper is not thick enough, ask to switch to water color paper.
Your Project: Negative Space Panda This was painted by a Central 3 rd grader during Art Cart last year. You can do it!
• Step 1: Near the bottom of your paper, paint a big bean shape and a circle above the end of the bean. • Step 2: Paint another smaller bean and a smaller circle next to it. • Step 3: Paint 4 circles to make up the ears, nose, and one eye of the Panda’s face.
• Step 4: Paint a line beneath the nose and curve around the panda’s head and back. • Step 5: Paint bamboo for the panda to eat. Paint a fine line and a few heavy strokes for leaves.
After your panda, other options: You can also use calligraphy tracers. Ask a parent for a copy if you’d like to try your hand at Chinese calligraphy.
- Slides: 12