Japanese Black Ink Painting: Beginner's Bamboo

Michelle Wasabi introduces her first installment of Japanese Black Ink Painting referred to in Japanese as SUMIE (pronounced: sue-me-ay) This lesson provides detailed instruction on how to paint a sumie bamboo. Michelle will take you on a journey through all the sumie materials needed, a brief meditation/mindfulness exercise, and all the components to create a bamboo masterpiece. This is a beginner’s lesson plan for anyone who has never painted before.

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Quick History Point: Sumi-e originated in China in the 8th century. It was later introduced by Buddhist monks to countries like Japan, Korea, and Malaysia.

Michelle landed herself in both sumie and nihon buyou (classical Japanese dance) classes while living in Japan for two years. She loves the natural and endearing aesthetic of the brushstrokes and the minimalism of the final product.

Class Outline:

Materials Needed

1. Paper: Printer paper, watercolor paper, or rice paper

2. Felt or Cloth

3. Paper towels

4. Water dishes

5. Two Brushes

6. Ink or Watercolor

7. Optional Stamp

8. Pinch of curiosity

*Sumi ink stains clothing so dress appropriately.

Class Overview:

Ink Prep and Meditate: Learn the traditional method of grinding ink and follow an optional meditation to promote living in the moment.

Rinse and Repeat: Bamboo Stalk Prep: Practice mixing ink, placing your brush, and preparing to learn the bamboo bone brushstroke in the follow-up lesson.

Rinse and Repeat: Bamboo Bone Strokes: Repeated practice of creating the bony foundation for your bamboo stalks. Yes! Your bamboo should look like bones. You will also learn more about nodes.

Rinse and Repeat: Leaves Strokes: Have some fun learning the narrow-wide-narrow stroke used to make leaves.

Branches: We will use the same bone stroke just smaller. Nodes are also added to connect each bone.

The Pre-Project: A little confidence boost to prepare for your final project.

Final Project: Creating your final masterpiece by combining all the bamboo elements you learned today. You will walk away with something you can admire for its minimalist qualities and depth of monochromatic color. Please share your projects and bask in the glory of your first of many bamboo paintings.

Once you’ve learned all the elements of creating a bamboo painting you’re going to combine your skills to create a classic bamboo sumie piece.

Bamboo Sumie is the definition of minimalistic. The perspective is almost always nearer than far and focuses on the stalks and leaves. Try to relax while painting by engaging in meditation or Mindfulness which is fitting for this style of art.

Step-by-Step

1. Start by painting your stalks. I suggest anywhere between 1-4 stalks.

2. Add your nodes while the ink is slightly wet for a bleeding effect

3. Follow this by painting dark leaves that sit in the forefront of your painting.

4. Once this is dry create lighter ink for leaves in the background.

5. Add branches from the stalk to your leaves

6. Optional: Finally sign or stamp your piece.

Upload your final project. I look forward to seeing all of your beautiful pieces!

Remember, sumi ink stains clothing so please dress appropriately.

Please see the uploaded photos of actual bamboo for reference.