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What to Learn First in Sumi-e Before Creating Complex Compositions
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 …
Composition in Sumi-e: How to Balance Negative Space, Ink, and Movement
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 …
How to paint flowers in Sumi-e: basic strokes and composition
Painting flowers in Sumi-e is one of the most beautiful ways to get started in Japanese ink painting. A flower may seem like a delicate …
How to practise Sumi-e at home without getting frustrated
Practising Sumi-e at home may seem straightforward at first: ink, a brush, paper and a few quiet minutes. However, many people become frustrated when they …
Sumi-e for Beginners: How to Train Your Hand and Stroke
Getting started with Sumi-e may seem simple from the outside: a brush, ink, paper, and a few strokes. However, when we sit down in front …
7 Sumi-e exercises to improve brush control
Sumi-e isn’t learned simply by memorizing shapes. It is learned by repeating gestures, observing the ink, listening to the rhythm of the hand, and understanding …
How to paint bamboo in sumi-e, step by step
Bamboo is one of the most iconic motifs in sumi-e and, at the same time, one of the best exercises for understanding how this art …
SKETCHBOOK REVIVAL CHALLENGE 2026
I’m honored to be an instructor at this year’s Sketchbook Revival Challenge—a free, flexible event designed to help you reconnect with drawing, painting, and the …
Brush exercises for beginners: 10 minutes a day to improve your sumi-e strokes
In sumi-e, you don’t “fix” a stroke: you learn to do it with intention. That’s why, before painting bamboo, plum trees or landscapes, it’s a …
How to frame and preserve an ink artwork: paper, glass, humidity and light
A work in ink on paper (such as sumi-e) is delicate by nature: the medium “breathes”, the ink interacts with time and the environment (light, …
Common mistakes when learning sumi-e and how to avoid them
Learning sumi-e—Japanese ink painting—is a path of personal and artistic discovery. However, many beginners become frustrated when their results do not reflect the harmony and …
Where to learn Sumi-e online: a guide to the best courses for beginners
Learning Sumi-e, Japanese ink painting, has never been so accessible. Thanks to online classes, you can now get started in this ancient art from home, …
The best Sumi-e workshops and courses in Spain: Madrid, Barcelona, and online classes
The art of Sumi-e, also known as Japanese ink painting, is experiencing a real resurgence in Spain. This ancient technique combines artistic expression with meditation, …
Gift certificate of art class of Japanese Ink Painting, Sumi-e
Do you want to give an art class of Japanese ink painting, Sumi-e as a gift to your partner, friend, family… to your loved ones? …
Gift certificate of art class of Japanese Ink Painting, Sumi-e
Do you want to give an art class of Japanese ink painting, Sumi-e as a gift to your partner, friend, family… to your loved ones? …
Gift certificate of art class of Japanese Ink Painting, Sumi-e
Do you want to give an art class of Japanese ink painting, Sumi-e as a gift to your partner, friend, family… to your loved ones? …
Differences between sumi-e, suibokuga and shodō
Sumi-e (墨絵), also known as suibokuga, is a monochromatic painting technique that originated in China and reached its peak in Japan during the Muromachi period …
Differences between sumi-e, suibokuga and shodō
The Japanese art of ink, or sumi, manifests itself in several disciplines that share basic tools, but differ profoundly in intention, technique and philosophy. Prominent …
Benefits of Sumi-e: mental calm, technique and creativity
The art of Sumi-e, or Japanese ink painting, goes far beyond a painting technique. It is a way of meditating, cultivating mindfulness and developing personal …
Intensive Sumi-e Course – Japanese Ink Painting for Concept Art Students
Sumi-e, or Japanese ink painting, is an ancient discipline that combines technique, meditation and aesthetic appreciation. At Kaoru Hirose – Sumie, we have designed a …
Comparison between sumi-e and other Asian painting techniques
Asian art encompasses a variety of painting techniques that have evolved over the centuries, each with its own distinctive philosophy and style. Among these, Sumi-e …
What does Sumi-e mean?
Sumi-e is a Japanese painting technique that, beyond being a simple artistic style, represents a philosophy based on simplicity, harmony and the expression of the …
Learn Sumi-e from anywhere with our online classes
Sumi-e, the traditional Japanese black ink painting, has conquered hearts with its elegance and depth. With our online classes, this ancient technique is available to …
Sketchbook Revival Challenge 2026
I’m honored to be an instructor at this year’s Sketchbook Revival Challenge—a free, flexible event designed to help you reconnect with drawing, painting, and the …

















