Chinese Brush Painting- How-To Part 3- Ink
How-To Chinese Brush Painting
Chinese Brush Painting- How-To Part 3- Ink belongs to the following groups:
Complex Simplicity of Art, Artists of the Orient, Spiritual Art and The PatchworkI’v decided to switch these entries to the written work area, as they seem to fit better here as non-fiction work…
Ink sticks [mo] are primarily made up of glue combined with soot or lamp black.
It’s not expensive, so buy a large stick, which will last a long time, and provide the blackest black marks.
Note: you can use bottled ink, but I find the colour not intense enough…that being said, I have found some bottled inks to be o.k. if want to practice brush strokes….
To grind ink, you will also need an ink stone [yan], which must be strong and non porous…a round one with a cover is best.
Since the Ming period the ink made from lamp black has been preferred over the other types…it has a deep blue black colour, with a slight metallic sheen…it gives my paintings that added edge that the cheaper inks will not produce.
Before I begin to paint I prepare the ink…...it is a time for contemplation and to reflect on past scenes…...in fact it’s an extremely important stage in the whole process of Chinese painting, and is considered to be a sacred rite.
Put a little water on your stone with your brush, and using a firm circular movement, grind the end of the stick until you have a thick black ink on the stone. Do not leave the stick unattended in contact with the stone, as it will bond to it. At the end of painting, wash and wipe your stone completely.
Ink used without additional water leaves a dark dry brush mark, so it should be diluted in four small containers with a little water, to produce different shades, from deepest black to pale grey.
To get this result you need to add a little of the ink from your stone to the containers, [I use my brush for this] with a small amount of water to get the right shades. Then you’re ready to start to paint.
The ink stones and even the sticks are works of art in their own right, and you can easily get carried away buying the most heavily carved stones and gold embellished sticks…all this adds to the whole incredible experience that is Chinese Brush Painting.
See pictures of some of the tools on my website by clicking on the image below…..
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Janis Zroback
On part two of my website called The Journey, I added a page that directly relates to this article and the two earlier Journal entries on Chinese brush Painting. I will continue to add pictures to illustrate the articles….if you are interested in this art please add your comments and I will continue to post more information…Enjoy.
blamo
many thanks janis i can look at your site easily at my leisure now thankyou
Janis Zroback replied
Thanks Blamo…the above link will take you to “The Journey” which is part two of my website…..their are many links to my main pages and also the third part which is “The Art of Food” I hope you enjoy my websites….thanks for all your very supportive comments.
Ron Fitzgerald
Hi Janis
As you can gues I really like your work, ther is another artist on REd Bubble a guy called Ron Moss, has some of his Art here more on Flicker. Hope that you enjoy.
Janis Zroback replied
Thanks so much Ron..I will check it out.
Janis Zroback replied
Thanks again Ron…I have seen Ron Moss’s work and really liked it…he is now on my watchlist too. Unfortunately his website seems to have disappeared….pity
Seth Weaver
I’m enjoying your series very much Janis. Thanks for the lessons!
Janis Zroback replied
You’re welcome Seth…thanks for all your comments as well.
PhotoNaturally
I did chinese painting when I was a kid. I dun think I was any good. but I did enjoy it.
I love painting branches….so easy but look so good.
Janis Zroback replied
Then you must start again….I’m sure you’ll enjoy it even more…
kjgordon
something I need to look into….mahalo for all your inspiration
Janis Zroback replied
Thank you KJ….
kjgordon
have a great day …I’m goin’ to work….