Intro To Japanese Ink Painting

From ancient times to the present, the Japanese people have celebrated the beauty of the seasons and the poignancy of their inevitable evanescence through poetry and painting. 

Japanese ink painting (known as sui-booku-ga -‘pictures of ink and water’), is the embodiment of Japanese aesthetics. Using just simple black ink and carefully curated white space, it captures the timeless beauty and complexity of the natural world.

In this introductory session on Saturday 7th May at 12PM ET with London-Mallorca based artist Talia, we'll be learning how to paint water irises, or 'kakitsubata' in Japanese. Blooming in late spring time, this iris represents longing, beauty and old memories in Japanese art. 

All levels are welcome and there is no prior experience required. There will be plenty of time to share, get feedback and meet other participants from around the world.

If you are not in EST time zone, be sure to convert the time.

What to expect

• Learn about the tools and materials used for this art-form.
• Brief introduction to Japanese ink painting and Irises. 
• Demonstration of how to make ink. 
• Practising how to hold the brush, create shades of ink and make various brush strokes. 
• Learn how to put the newly learnt brush strokes together to paint buds and flowers, making your own composition of blooming irises.

What you'll need

Paper

• Newsprint for practice
• Japanese practice paper or Hanshi paper  or Sumi-e paper pad

Ink

• Japanese Liquid ink

Or for those who want to make ink themselves

• Ink stone
• Ink stick

Brushes (best to have one larger and one finer brush)

• Yasutomo Brush - Size 5
• Yasutomo Brush - Size 3 or Yasutomo Brush - Size 4
• Yasutomo Brush - Size 2 or Yasutomo Brush - Size 2

Other tools that can be useful for your set

• Ceramic flower for mixing colors (or few white medium size wide bowls)
• Brush rest - white brush rest for six brushes or similar
• Felt for working surface or few large newsprints
• Paper-weights (pebbles, soft stone)
• 2 water bowls
• Roll of kitchen towels

And a clean workspace for practice, at least 50 x 90 cm

You can also buy the complete traveler set via this link on Talia's website. 

About Talia

Talia is a professional artist and a certified teacher of Japanese ink painting. Exhibiting both in the UK and internationally, she is known for her cross-disciplinary paintings, prints and ceramic tiles. Her work invites meditation upon nature and its relationship with colour, light and movement. 

As she draws or paints, she gradually unravels the underlying qualities of balance and harmony within her subject matter. "What interests me most is observing the formation of line and pattern: from the blades of grass to a bird’s feather; from the shifting of clouds to the beat of my heart; from the maps of stars in heaven to the trunk of an old oak tree." She is keen to explore images that can stand the test of time, that would still be of fascination in years to come, and yet are potent in the here in now.

Visit her artist page to learn more about her in-person VAWAA.

Browse other VAWAA Online Sessions

Learn more about VAWAA in-person mini apprenticeships

Subscribe to latest news and updates from around the world here