Xaide’s Blog

If you’re a chinese-japanese art fan or just a Photoshop-effects regular user, you might have heard of Sumi-e. If not, greater should be your curiosity to what I am about to show you.

Based on ink and wash painting, Sumi-e, or shui-mo hua as it is named in Chinese, its place of birth, is one of the most relaxing brush painting techniques, whether you engage in the painting act itself or just watch the splendour of the outcome of every brush move on the blessed sheet of paper.

It was originally done with ink made from a stick/bar of densely packed charcoal ash and water, the brush having a specific curvature that made some undeniably resplendent effects available. Due to its mixture with water, the ink leaves gradient-like shades of black on the sheet of paper, although later, colour was introduced, bringing a full range of perspectives to what was once a mere consequence of calligraphy.

And if you saw or read the book Memoirs of a Geisha, you are sure to appreciate the forthcoming selected videos. Watch how artists bring cherry flowers, geishas and bambu trees to life:

Cherry Blossom

Geisya Kimono Ink Drawing 1

Geisya Kimono Ink Drawing 2

Bamboo

Bamboo with flathead brush

Waterfall

Well, that’s kind of it. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

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