Sumi Workshop

The workshop will introduce participants to the Four Treasures of traditional East Asian arts, namely sumi, brush, paper and ink stone. The approach is both theoretical and practical and includes explanations about how the tools and materials are produced, reasons why they are used in the ways they are, as well as encouraging participants to experiment and try out techniques and develop basic skills. While basing the content on traditional techniques, Japanese calligraphy or traditional motifs used in ink painting are not studied. The emphasis is on helping participants use the media for their own ends.

There will be an illustrated talk about the materials, practice grinding the sumi stick, and experiments with different ways of holding the brush and using different concentrations of sumi. A variety of sumi, brushes and paper is provided.

In further workshops more techniques, and exercises in combining different sumi effects are introduced. This leads to individual project work.

Please see Christine’s page for further information on her and her work