How to Grind Ink

Ink sticks and the practice of grinding the ink is a technique most commonly found in Chinese calligraphy. It uses ink sticks, water and a grinding stone to make inks to the taste of the calligraphist. Although the process might first seem daunting, it is easy to do.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Ink stick
• Grinding stone
• Water
• Brush
• Paper

1. Place a small amount of water on the grinding stone. The best water for grinding the ink has a small amount of salt in it. The next best water is well water. Tap or distilled water are the two least recommended waters to use for grinding ink. Never use hot water or hot tea to grind ink.

2. Hold the ink stick so that it is balanced in your hand. The way you hold the ink stick should be similar to how you hold the brush or pen when you are writing.

3. Press the ink stick down hard into the grinding stone, and rub it lightly back and forth across the stone. This will wet the ink stick, and start the process of making the ink.

4. Rub the ink stick slowly in even circles across the surface of the grinding stone.

5. Use only a tiny amount of water at first. When a thick liquid forms, you can add water and then grind or rub the ink stick to get more ink.

6. Add water or grind the ink stick until you have an ink that you can use. Ink that is too think will be hard to use because it will glue the ends of the brush together. Ink that is too thin will filter through the paper. It is important to get the right consistency. Play with making the ink and testing it until you know what will work.

Tips & Warnings

• A good-quality ink stick will make better ink. There are two things to look for when choosing an ink stick: color and sound. The two best colors are a glossy purple or a glossy black. Glossy green and a glossy white are the two lowest colors. The sound that the ink stick makes when it is struck is also important. A good ink stick will make a clear, light sound when struck. A poor-quality ink stick will sound muffled.