How to Paint Flowers With Ink
Painting flowers in the ancient sumi-e tradition of Asian ink painting is an activity both accessible to novice painters and an activity that can challenge even the most skillful artists. The philosophical goal of sumi-e painting is to capture the soul of an object, not necessarily produce a technically accurate visual record. Most artists choose to convey the feel of the flowers they paint and relate a visual interpretation of the fragrance of the flower rather than produce an easily identifiable facsimile.
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Instructions
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Painting the Flowers
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Pour the black ink into a shallow bowl. Dip the brush two-thirds of the way into the ink, allowing the bristles to moisten and become slightly less brittle. Lift the brush above the ink's surface, allowing the ink to drip out of the brush until it is moist, but no longer dripping.
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2
Paint the stem of the flower with the first brushstroke, which will be a frame of reference for the rest of the sumi-e painting.
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3
Brush in the leaves and sprouts on the stem of the flower; remember that the philosophical aesthetic of sumi-e style allows for a more simplistic and less detailed look, emphasizing feel over form.
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4
Brush the silhouette of the basic flower shape to the end of the stem. The actual shape will depend largely upon the original subject flower. The spherical puffball shape of the chrysanthemum or "kiku" in Japanese, makes for a simple beginner flower blossom due to its simple shape. Painters looking for a challenge can explore the intricate lines of an orchid, rose or lily instead.
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Tips & Warnings
Artists unaccustomed to rice paper can experiment with other types of paper to find a personal preference. Watercolor paper is another popular choice.
Like most aspects of art, making an attempt is easy, but making a perfect painting isn't. Don't feel bad if your first pieces don't turn out quite how you'd hoped; it's just part of the learning process.
For a more authentic feel, consider using a traditional ink stone kit.
Use care when handling India ink, since it can easily stain skin and objects.
