What is Sumi-e
Sumi-e Defined
Sumi-e (墨絵), also known as suibokuga (水墨画), is an art form in which everything is depicted in black ink. The literal meaning of both words is black ink painting. This style of painting was introduced into Japan from China together with Zen Buddhism and perfected by the painter and priest Sesshu (1420-1506) in the fifteenth century. As in many other Japanese arts and traditions such as haiku (俳句) and the tea ceremony, a deep-rooted preference for simplicity and subtlety is seen in sumi-e. It does not use unnecessary strokes of the brush and unnecessary splashes of ink. It is interested in the essence of the subject matter; most often mountains, rivers, plants, and animals.
Various shades of black and gray on a white background (negative space) stimulate the imagination of the viewer far more than colors. The white space left untouched does not represent emptiness in its literal sense but embodies all meaning and possibility, thus playing as important a part as the painted object itself.
Though the literal meaning of sumi-e hasn't changed, most people today have accepted that the use of color is a legitimate part of the art form. Even classical artists used it. For the greatest emotional impact, however, color is best used sparingly.
The Zen of Sumi-e
Have you ever had an experience in which you were doing something with which you were so familiar that you went on automatic pilot, so to speak? Were you doing everything correctly, perfectly but at the same time standing mentally outside the process, watching yourself perform and critiquing the performance, perhaps even making adjustments as you went along? If so, then you have already made progress toward becoming a successful sumi-e artist, for this is the state of mind, the intensity of concentration, you need to develop while painting. Before that, of course, you must have already become adept enough at your strokes that you are able to focus on the development of your painting rather than on whether the ink is being properly applied to the paper. Practice!
Zen: … the essence of Zen Buddhism … which denotes meditation, contemplation, concentration.
--- S. Kojima, G. Crane, A Dictionary of Japanese Culture, The Japan Times, 1988
Sumi-e is one of the most demanding of the graphic arts in that the media of ink on paper is very unforgiving. Unlike watercolor in which multiple layers of paint can be applied until the desired effect is achieved, sumi strokes are rarely layered, and then usually only for special effects. Unlike oils or acrylics that can be scraped off a canvas or covered up, sumi strokes are permanent. Consequently, the sumi artist must exercise considerable discipline throughout the painting process in order to attain success.
Successful sumi-e requires the artist to have a complete plan in mind before first applying ink to paper and that a state of intense concentration exists. Of course, both of these require the artist be skilled enough with ink and brush that the actual brush strokes become almost automatic. Planning is to a large extent a matter of education. Once a subject is chosen, there are rules of composition that guide artists toward effective paintings. (Don’t forget however, that many of the world’s greatest artists first learned how to successfully break the rules in a disciplined manner before they became great.) Developing the appropriate level of concentration however, is a skill that has to be developed. It is much like riding a bicycle. One can learn everything about riding a bicycle in minutes. It takes many hours of practice before the skill to actually ride one develops.
Likewise, the way to develop an intense level of concentration can’t be taught, just as the actual skill of riding a bicycle can’t be taught, but there are some things you can do to help facilitate the process. The most important of these is to develop a fixed routine for preparing to paint, and then follow it rigorously.
Here is one possible such routine:
Remove, shut off, or settle down all distractions—pets, TVs, spouses, etc.
Clear a working space, and arrange your painting equipment in a preset pattern.
Brew a pot of tea and sit a while, enjoying the flavor, while thinking about your subject.
Slowly, using rhythmical movements, grind sumi in the suzuri.
Regulate your breathing to a slow, calm, even pace, and sit in an upright position with your feet flat on the floor.
Pick up a brush and begin to paint.