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| Japanese Ink Painting: The Art of Sumi-e | 
 enlarge | Author: Naomi Okamoto
Publisher: Sterling
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
Buy New: $4.88
You Save: $10.07 (67%)
Buy New/Used from $4.88
Avg. Customer Rating:  (13 reviews)
Sales Rank: 290118
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 96
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 10 x 8.4 x 0.3
ISBN: 0806908335
Dewey Decimal Number: 751.4252
UPC: 049725008335
EAN: 9780806908335
ASIN: 0806908335
Publication Date: December 31, 1996
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
“This study of Japanese ink painting is as much about philosophy and poetry as it is about putting brush to paper. Artisan Okamoto clearly describes the unique materials and techniques involved, and she beautifully illustrates each lesson. The highly readable writing style is personal, poetic, and inspiring....Well recommended.”—Library Journal. “Excellent ...for middle school through adult levels.”—School AA.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
 Fast and functional December 27, 2008
This came so fast I couldn't believe it. It was just what we were looking for and just in the right amount of time. The book is perfect for a beginner looking to learn the right way. It's easy to follow and is a great teaching tool.
Japanese Sumie Brush Painting July 30, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
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.
 Not just eye appealing July 12, 2007
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book is almost like having a personal instructor. Understandable descriptions of technique throughout.
ART: UNIVERSAL GIFT without national boundaries . . . March 25, 2007
2 out of 5 found this review helpful
As small children we would make pools of colors on our watercolor paper and then flood them, oh, so briefly with warm water - tipping back & forth, hoping to make a spectacular effect to impress our siblings. Our parents would 'interpret' these and then we, in superior tones, explained their deeper meanings - amateur psychologists we were.
Only one sister has since created "real" art but Naomi Okamoto's book & several other titles (type in "ink paintings") prompt us to channel our impulses in this direction. Just this week a clutch of yellow tulips budding in a hospital room caught my breath, and reminded me of this book and the yellow blooms on page 18: so few strokes captured mood, pristine shape and mindfulness. The back cover implies that this is easy; that I believe is misleading (doubtless the fault of the publisher).
To train oneself to achieve even a fair-to-mediocre copy will bring growing satisfaction. The author is a good teacher; she encourages in 'underwhelming' increments suitable for beginning and/or slow learners. Okamoto also discusses the use of a "chop" - the signature of many sumi-e - and how to design & create your own.
Ink paintings are often a focus point for meditation - the white spaces equate with blocking out extraneous sounds & thoughts; a flower, bird, mountain, etc., might symbolize your Zen Master? The important technique of 'loading' the paintbrush is fully explained. Reviewer mcHaiku is unaccustomed to painting while holding the brush vertical, and a delicate touch is obviously required to achieve a subtle beauty. For someone who may not be painting, these details heighten the appreciation of all that is involved in producing the 'spare' - intriguing - quietly beautiful works of art. Peruse this book often enough and you may find yourself drawn into the circle of "doers."
P.S.: ART is a Universal GIFT, having no national boundaries.
Good Choice January 16, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I bought this book to go along with a calligraphy and ink set for my niece for Christmas. It seems to be fairly comprehensive - at least for a starter, which she is.
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