Classic Sumi-e motifs are not practised simply because they are part of the tradition. Each one offers a different learning experience: some help you control brush pressure, while others allow you to work on fluidity, rhythm, texture or composition. Bamboo, orchid, plum blossom and chrysanthemum are four of the best-known traditional motifs. Other common subjects

Creating a Sumi-e practice routine at home does not mean painting for hours every day. To make progress, it is more useful to establish short sessions, know what you want to work on in each one, and maintain some consistency throughout the week. A simple routine can be organised as follows: Choose 3 or 4

To start practicing Sumi-e, we don’t need to try to create a complete work from day one. Before working on complex compositions, it’s best to learn—in this order—how to prepare the materials, hold and move the brush, control the ratio of ink to water, make basic strokes, observe simple shapes, and combine a few elements

Composition in Sumi-e involves arranging the brushstrokes, the intensities of the ink, and the empty spaces so that all elements of the painting maintain a balanced relationship. It is not about filling the paper or arranging the forms symmetrically, but rather about deciding what should appear, where it should appear, and which areas should be