The Art and Technique of Sumi-e Japanese Ink-Painting: As taught by Ukai Uchiyama [Paperback]

Kay Morrissey Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 1994

Through his student Kay Morrisey Thompson, master calligrapher Ukai Uchiyama teaches readers the language of sumi-e, the distinctive Japanese calligraphy which combines Zen spirituality and boldly mimetic natural images. This beautiful volume, winner of the Good Design Award from the American Booksellers Association, offers striking illustrations in black and white and color of its lessons on the practice and philosophy of sumi-e. Readers are encouraged to learn about the bamboo-handled brushes and ink sticks, experiment with simple naturalistic forms, and explore the history and spiritual foundation of an art form which this book makes accessible to Westerners for the first time.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kay Morrisey Thompson studied at the Massachusetts School of Art in Boston and the Art Students' League in New York. Her professional experience includes work with Glamour and Woman's Day as assistant art director and freelance artwork for Good Housekeeping, McCall's, and The New York Times Magazine. She accompanied her husband, an officer in the United States Coast Guard, on a three-year assignment to Japan, where she began her study with Ukai Uchiyama.

Product Details

• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing (June 15, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804819599
• ISBN-13: 978-0804819596
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 10 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #259,660 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

68 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent instructions, beautiful illustrations, May 2, 2000

By 

Angel Lee "Liocorno Amethyst Moonstone" (Cleveland, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Art and Technique of Sumi-e Japanese Ink-Painting: As taught by Ukai Uchiyama (Paperback)

This is an excellent book for any student of Japanese ink painting. The author's clear instructions focus on technique as well as the spiritual side of sumi-e. The illustrations are exceptionally beautiful & worth the price alone.

The book starts out by discussing materials as well as a student's mindset. Line brush strokes, washes and calligraphy brushwork are then detailed & illustrated.

The author then talks about the four gentlemen of Japan. They include the orchid, bamboo, plum & chrysanthemum. Because they are so varied, practicing these has really helped my paintings improve.

Many other subject types are covered. Some include grass, flowers, trees, fruits, vegetables, birds, and animals. Landscape element techniques encompass rocks, clouds and mountains.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Grand Title for a Rubbish Book, October 10, 2002

By 

K. Black (HOPE, NELSON New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art and Technique of Sumi-e Japanese Ink-Painting: As taught by Ukai Uchiyama (Paperback)

Any person hoping to learn the art of Sumi-e will be poorly served by this book.
All the illustrations are hurried and rough.The author tries to explain this away by stating that the illustrations were hurried through for inclusion in the book.
Absolute rubbish!!Any reasonable Sumi-e or Chinese painter can do a very quick but quite beautiful painting.
If you want two very good examples of books to buy then look no further than "Chinese Painting Techniques" by Alison Stilwell Cameron, or "Chinese Painting Techniques for Exquisite Watercolors" by Lian Quan Zhen.
Both these books are superb.
I own all three of the titles here and can truly say that "The Art and Technique of Sumi-e.." is very poorly presented and I never use or read it.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and Informative-Great text for Students!, October 30, 2002

By 

Sandra C Gerhard (Dunnellon, Fl United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art and Technique of Sumi-e Japanese Ink-Painting: As taught by Ukai Uchiyama (Paperback)

Any intelligent student of Japanese Brush Painting will recognize the importance of
Kay Morrisey Thompson's stunning book "The Art and Techniques of Sumi-e" which
has been in demand since 1960 and has been awarded the Good Design Award by the
American Booksellers Association. Her text is beautifully written and clearly
moves the student along from the basics into the impressionistic world of
Sumi-e.
One cannot "lump" Chinese art and Sumi-e(a Japanese style) together or they will have completely missed the inspiring philosophy and impressionistic link with
Shodo ( Japanese calligraphy) as illustrated by the artist Sensei Uchiyama.All
Dedicated Sumi-e students should realize that their goal is to first master and understand their
basic strokes and then personalize this artform to reflect their individualizm. Although brush painting originated in China, the Japanese Zen Buddhist priests adapted it to their culture. Therefore, the word
"Sumi-e-"is a Japanese word describing a Japanese style of painting. It's
meaning "ink picture" is a very broad term which allows the student to be creative.
To understand this very complex ancient art the student
must read and explore as many available books as possible about brush painting to broaden his or her
horizons. This book should definitely be on the student's "Must Have" list.