Customer Reviews

Japanese Ink Painting: The Art of Sumi-e

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Some reviewers carped that sumi-e is Chinese-that the Japanese `stole' it. So the publisher fudged the title. Well, whatever!

The book is good for beginners because I am a beginner. Naomi Okamoto keeps one important aspect of ink painting manageable-the loading of the brush with ink. Getting ink on the brush and then putting the brush to the paper is the most difficult function to learn. She keeps sumi-e from being a chore. Buy the book. Matter of fact purchase a number of different books because each artist has his own way of approaching the same subject.

Okamoto covers the most essential areas of the art of sumi-e in a balanced and objective approach. I learned a lot while reading her book and it moved me to learn more things about sumi-e. The pictures, paper, and book itself are of high quality, and is interesting to look through even if you do not paint with inks. A wonderful book, I reccomend it to anyone interested in Asian art. Also makes a great gift.

As someone who has had a life long love affair with the Japanese Martial arts as well as Asian calligraphy and painting, I found this book highly informative and interesting. This book covers the basic introduction to Japanese ink painting. This text begins with the background of ink painting, and moves into the brush used, the type of ink and the paper and/or silk used in this art. Painting techniques are also explained as well as how to practice the brush strokes. In conclusion, this is a beautiful book that will be of value for anyone interested in Japanese ink painting.

Rating: 4 stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Season of the Warrior: a poetic tribute to warriors).

I received my book the very next day after ordering. I have read it from beginning to end and work all of the sample technique procedures. I have found this book to help stimulate my interest in Japanese ink art. The instructions were well written and easy to follow. I recommend this product for anyone wishing to learn a new technique.

I found this book helpful and inspirational. The instructions were clear to a beginner, and grew more complex at a good pace.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and incorporated some of the techniques in my own (non-Asian) artwork, as I like incorporating new techniques from different cultures. I recommend this book.

The book consists of the following chapters:

Chapter 1. Background and Essence of Japanese Ink Painting
Chapter 2. Painting Utensils. This chapter goes over brushes, inks, sticks, and other aids.
Chapter 3. The Painting Surface. This chapter goes over effects and characteristics of different mediums.
Chapter 4. Working with Ink and brush. Goes over control of the brush and different techniques.
Chapter 5a. Painting Techniques. Four different lessons: fish, orchid, bamboo, plum tree
Chapter 5b. Brush held at angle flat to the paper: poppy exercises
Chapter 5c. Rotating handle of the brush: crocus, tulip, magnolia exercises
Chapter 5d. Two stroke paintings: Iris, Anthurium exercises
Chapter 5e. Rough outline with one stroke: Promontory
Chapter 6a. Painting objects, still life
Chapter 6b. Landscapes: 7 different landscapes
Chapter 7. From Sketching to Painting
Chapter 8a. Painting with color. Which color is appropriate
Chapter 8b. Painting with color. The role of color.
Chapter 9. Practice motifs.
Chapter 10a. Mounting finished painting
Chapter 10b. Mounting instructions
Chapter 10c. How to carve a seal
Chapter 10d. Where to place a seal
Chapter 10e. Examples of seals
Chapter 11. Conclusion followed by an index

This is one of the best of my 4 sumi-e books. Okamoto creatively covers the basics of ink, brush, and paper. She beautifully describes the primary strokes, how to utilize color and even illustrates the application of sumi-e painting to masterpiece artwork and scenes from every day life. This is an excellent book for a budding sumi-e artist.

I am very pleased with this book. It provides a solid introduction to the Japanese art of Sumi-e -- or brush painting. It provides basic brush strokes and step-by-step information as well as the history of Sumi-e ...