Japanese Ink Painting: The Art of Sumi-E [Hardcover]

Naomi Okamoto (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1995

Influenced by Zen buddhism and using only black ink, traditional Japanese ink painting emphasizes suggestion, simplicity and harmony. This guide ranges from material selection (from brushes to ink sticks) to the techniques involved. Tips on mounting and making a personal seal are included.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Sterling Pub Co Inc (March 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806908327
• ISBN-13: 978-0806908328
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,725,982 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on Sumi-e available, August 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Japanese Ink Painting: The Art of Sumi-E (Hardcover)

Naomi Okamoto's book on sumi-e is the most comprehensive and helpful book I have found to date on sumi-e. Utilizing a detailed approach, beginning with the basics of sumi-e, Okamoto leads the reader through the practice as a whole, paying close attention to technique, mindfulness and composition. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in Japanese ink painting.

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great beginners book!, June 13, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Johannesburg, South Africa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Japanese Ink Painting: The Art of Sumi-E (Hardcover)

this book provides the reader with a clear description of the basic equipment needed for painting, as well as a clearly explained basic strokes. the book leads the read through a series of progressively more difficult exercises from the "classical" traditions of sumie, like the orchid, bamaboo, and plum blossom.

having recently been on an introductory course in Sumie this book helps reinforce the lessons learnt there.

the author provides a good basic text for an absolute beginner that allows a person to begin and develop his talent. he describes and provides clear descriptions and numbered pictures of how to paint the various classical paintings. this may seem a bit like "paint by numbers" but gives one a good feel of "copying" the old masters of sumie.

out of 3 books ordered on sumie I use this one the most as a binner. the other two are for more advanced painters or those wanting to appreciate the art. The mustard seed gardern manual of painting is a good work but not as easily or clearly expalined as Okamoto does here for the western beginner.

you will not go wrong in buying this book if you are a beginner.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good beginner book., January 3, 2001

By 

"mafiosoitaliano" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Japanese Ink Painting: The Art of Sumi-e (Paperback)

This book is great for a beginner. It explains the materials you need to start painting and gives you step by step instructions on the techniques needed to paint bamboo, orchids, chrysanthemums, etc. My only criticism is that it's week on how to paint pine trees which I find difficult. But, overall a book worthwile to own and work with.