Sumi-e

Sumi-e, brushed ink on Chinese mulberry bark paper.

Sumi-e, brushed in on "rice" paper,

I just received this paper from China today and am trying it out. Sumi and watercolor.

Sumi-e, brushed ink on "rice" paper.

Sumi-e, brushed ink on "rice" paper.

Sumi-e, brushed ink on "rice" paper, unmounted.

Sumi-e, brushed ink on Chinese Mulberry bark paper.

Mouse and cat. Sumi-e. brushed ink on Chinese Mulberry bark paper.

Sumi-e, brushed ink on "rice" paper, 12 by 14 inches.

The drunk's cat is the way the title I wrote translates today, although I prefer the older meaning of the first Kanji and read it as the philosophical drinker's kitty. ;-) Sumi-e, ink on "rice" paper. 12 by 18 inches.

Sumi-e, ink on "rice" paper. 12 by 18 inches.

Sumi-e, brushed ink on 'rice' paper.

Sumi-e, brushed ink on "rice" paper.

Sumi-e, brushed ink on "rice" paper.

The two most respected men in an Eskimo whaling crew are the Captain and the Striker. The Striker is responsible for harpooning the whale, while the Captain must bring the crew and the boat in the position, close, very close, but not too close, where the Striker can throw the harpoon, while at the same time he must assure his boat and crew are not capsized and destroyed . I once had an invitation to go out with a whaling crew but, alas, I had work I had to get to and a family to support. I did this painting using a light watercolor wash and sumi, fresh ground Japanese ink, on 140 pound cold pressed paper.

Sumi-e, brushed ink on 'rice' paper, 12 by 16 inches

This is my first try with my new piston water brush and the ink block I got from Blue heron. I won't keep this one (It'll be in the box next to the wood stove for fire starter), but I did want to display it here to show, or at least hint at, the range of the ink and the character of the strokes one can do with this brush. As I've said before, I don't mind sharing both my good and bad efforts here, thought I do try too keep the ugly (pictures of myself) to a minimum. :-) Sumi-e, brushed ink on 'rice' paper, 12 by 18 inches.

While on Shikoku Island, Japan, I bought some ink and paint filled fude (brushes) at Grand Fuji, the mall in Umenomoto, this is my first try using them.