Yesterday I found the sumi e painting materials I bought in Tokyo a year ago, and tried.

I knew one has to be fast- but I hadn’t realized just HOW fast the brushwork must be to not cause blobs. It was extremely challenging and fun – full concentration needed on the knifes edge. I’m tempted to practice this.

Yesterday I just painted random things I saw around me (like the cute otter a friend posted, myself in the mirror, the outline of other paintings laying around the studio) . Seems like nature motives come easier than humans… didn’t try anything urban I realize now. If I end up doing a practice period wit this I really need to read up on it though, so I can make it my own.

Above: shodo paper on feltmat. The mat catches the excess ink that seeps through.