Ink Brush ART
Sumi-e by Ann Kozeliski
Artist Statement
Artist Statement
I have embraced an ancient art form and through my representation of contemporary subject matter I have made it mine while respecting its traditions.
I have embraced an ancient art form and through my representation of contemporary subject matter I have made it mine while respecting its traditions.
The Japanese term Sumi-e meaning ink painting
The Japanese term Sumi-e meaning ink painting
The materials used to paint Sumi-e are called the Four Treasures.
The materials used to paint Sumi-e are called the Four Treasures.
Families throughout Asia have established themselves as the masters of making the ink, brushes, paper and ink stone also known as a sazuri. Each family hands down its secrets through the generations. The process today is the same as it has been for hundreds of years.
Families throughout Asia have established themselves as the masters of making the ink, brushes, paper and ink stone also known as a sazuri. Each family hands down its secrets through the generations. The process today is the same as it has been for hundreds of years.
Four strokes form the basis of Sumi-e. They are called the Four Gentlemen. From those four strokes, you learn the skill of handling the various types and sizes of brushes. You soon learn that all things are made from these strokes; a bird’s leg is the Bamboo Stroke; a rock forms from the Craggy Branch Stroke. Becoming one with your brush, the ink and the paper, coupled with the skill of mastering the stroke, produces an absolute Zen like experience.
Four strokes form the basis of Sumi-e. They are called the Four Gentlemen. From those four strokes, you learn the skill of handling the various types and sizes of brushes. You soon learn that all things are made from these strokes; a bird’s leg is the Bamboo Stroke; a rock forms from the Craggy Branch Stroke. Becoming one with your brush, the ink and the paper, coupled with the skill of mastering the stroke, produces an absolute Zen like experience.
There are basically two styles that are studied in Sumi-e, the detailed style - Gong bi and the spontaneous style – Mogu-Fa. The Gongbi is simply that: creating an outline of the composition, layers of color are built up to create the desired hue. In Mogu-Fa, you strive to capture the chi or energy of the subject, in as few strokes as possible, a task easier said than done.
There are basically two styles that are studied in Sumi-e, the detailed style - Gong bi and the spontaneous style – Mogu-Fa. The Gongbi is simply that: creating an outline of the composition, layers of color are built up to create the desired hue. In Mogu-Fa, you strive to capture the chi or energy of the subject, in as few strokes as possible, a task easier said than done.
Seal
Seal
The seals, also called "chops" used by artists to sign their work signify the artists name or a particular mood that was invoked when viewing or creating the work. They are made of various materials and are carved in both the negative and positive format.
The First Stroke is the Final Stroke - carved with a negative background