What is Sumi-e?

My art form is called Sumi-e.
The word is Japanese, and translates as "ink picture".
My materials are Chinese ink, watercolor, and gouache on Asian papers
made from sandalwood, mulberry, linen, and other plant fibers and barks.
Sometimes I also use ground minerals like azurite and malachite.
I use bamboo brushes made from a variety of animal hair.

The object of sumi-e is to capture the essence, or spirit, of the subject matter.
I call it painting from the heart.
Individual styles of capturing that energy range from realistic to abstract.

My subject matter is nature.
Lots of things inspire me: flowers, beautiful scenery, the antics of animals.
I only paint subjects I "know".
To get to know them, I study them from different perspectives.
I hike around to feel the landscape scenery from various vantage points.
I sketch the lake from the hillside and from my canoe.
To paint the beautiful scent of the flower, I begin by sketching the flower full on,
from the side, from the back, until I can easily envision it without even seeing it.
Then I am able to paint it from my heart.

image of "Dog Sleeping" painting

"Dog Sleeping"